Group Lists 'Worst' Sexual Abuse Cover-Ups
By Anna Schecter
ABC News
April 16, 2008
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4666953&page=1
A list of America's five "worst" cardinals that a watchdogs group says have allegedly protected priests accused of sexual abuse was unveiled today while the pope meets with American cardinals in Washington.
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"The secrecy, recklessness and deceit of these powerful cardinals have left thousands of children at risk for abuse," said Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) national director David Clohessy. Clohessy' group, made up of alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, compiled the list of supposed "worst" cardinals.
Clohessy said the cardinals have openly protected predators by failing to remove priests who were accused of abuse or keeping allegations of abuse a secret. He said the cover-ups took place in recent years despite the 2002 charter promising transparency about abuse in the Catholic Church.
"These are among the most powerful and best-educated cardinals in the world, and they have behaved recklessly while the world was watching," said Clohessy.
As Pope Benedict meets with roughly 16 U.S. cardinals this afternoon, SNAP members are protesting in Washington several blocks from the pope-cardinal meeting.
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