BishopAccountability.org
	SNAP Press Statement By Barbara Dorris Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests April 16, 2008 http://snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2008_statements/041608_SNAP_latest_statements_pope_comments.htm Somewhat mishandled' is inaccurate, because this is a current crisis, not a past one. The phrase obscures the unassailable fact that hundreds of bishops willfully and repeatedly deceive parishioners, stonewall police, and leave children at risk. It's less helpful for a brilliant theologian to speculate on deviant psychology. It's more helpful for a global leader to act like a leader. The pope can focus on the inexplicable and uncontrollable: child sex crimes by predators. Or he can focus on the practical and manageable: deterring recklessness, deceit and secrecy by bishops. Five years ago, US bishops paltry, begrudgingly adopted some minimal promises on paper. There's no evidence to suggest they've had any real impact and it's terribly naive to assume that's the case. Child sex crimes and cover-ups have plagued the church for decades, and the church is an ancient, rigid, secretive, all-male hierarchy that moves at a glacial pace. No one who truly understands institutional behavior could believe that centuries-old patterns can be undone in a few short years. Outside factors may lead to pedophilia. Corruption does lead to cover ups. The pope can do little about tv and the internet across the globe. He can, however, do plenty about deception and callousness by those on his payroll.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.