For immediate release: Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hurtful Comments

Statement by Barbara Dorris Outreach Director 314 862 7688 [email protected]

Our hearts ache today for four groups.

First, for the half of our 10,000 members who were sexually violated as girls by child molesting Catholic clerics and whose suffering is often overlooked by Catholic officials.

Second, for gays and lesbians, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who are mistakenly blamed by a misguided few for the church's horrific, on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis (based on one number made public by the very same Catholic officials who have ignored and concealed - and continue to ignore and conceal - devastating child sex crimes that have little, if anything, to do with the sexual orientation of predator priests or their corrupt bishops.)

Third, for vulnerable adults - male and female - who are often sexually exploited, manipulated and abused by powerful, cunning Catholic clergy, but whose pain is almost never acknowledged or mentioned by church officials.

And finally, for the millions of already-betrayed Catholics who must feel ashamed and outraged by the outrageous claims made by a well-funded and angry man.