TX--Survivors call for full disclosue from Cardinal DiNardo

We are members of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are working hard to heal from trauma, and we want to reach others who have been similarly victimized but remain trapped in secrecy, silence and shame. A first step in healing is to ensure that the cycle of violence stops with us. We don't want to see anyone suffer as we have.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo is the vice-chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the organization that includes all of the prelates in the nation. According to custom and practice, he is considered to be the front runner to become president when the group meets in Baltimore Nov. 14-16. Given DiNardo’s “awful track record regarding kids’ safety” we urge him to “drop out of the race, stay home, and take strong, immediate and public steps to reveal the names of predator priests and their complicit colleagues, so that Houston area youngsters will be safer and Houston area ‘enablers’ will be exposed.

We urge DiNardo to post names, photos & records of ALL predator priests (not just the ones who are sued), and to do the same with religious order clerics, so that kids can be protected and victims can heal.

We also urge you, as parishioners, to be careful around Fr. John T. Keller who was accused of molesting a boy in the 1980s and we urge anyone who has seen, suspected or suffered crimes or cover ups by Houston clerics to “come forward, protect kids, expose secrets, deter wrongdoing and start healing” by calling independent sources of help (therapists, police prosecutors, support groups), NOT church officials.

Archdiocesan officials claimed Fr. Keller’s misconduct did not fit their definition of sexual abuse so he continues as an active priest. They didn’t even suspend him pending a church inquiry, which is required by the US bishops’ national abuse policy.

SNAP feels this is irresponsible and reckless. They want DiNardo to re-examine how Fr. Keller’s case was handled by the previous bishop and publicly urge others who may have information or suspicions about wrongdoing by Fr. Keller to call police.

Michael Norris [email protected], 713 8559178, David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected]