BishopAccountability.org
	Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Wa, Found Guilty of Contempt of Court in Sex Abuse, Bankruptcy Case Voice from the Desert February 24, 2010 http://reform-network.net/?p=2636 I received this news from SNAP leadership via email today, 2.24.2010. SNAP’s comments appear first, followed by the story from the Spokane Spokesman-Review. Statement by Peter Isely of Milwaukee, national board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (414-429-7259) We’re grateful though not surprised by this ruling. As clergy sex crimes and cover ups slowly fade from the media spotlight, we’ve seen more church officials and church lawyers being more harsh and mean-spirited toward victims and their supporters. It’s hard for bishops, who sit atop ancient, rigid monarchies, to accept that there are limits to their powers and that secular authorities and procedures must be followed, even if the outcome doesn’t please the bishop. We hope this decision will remind Catholic officials that if they can’t control their anger and fight victims excessively, once in a while their tactics will be exposed and their excesses will be punished. We urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups to call police, get help, expose predators, protect kids and start healing. We especially urge victims and witnesses in and around Spokane to come forward, in part to show Catholic officials that their threats and hardball legal maneuvers will not keep brave but wounded victims trapped in silence, shame and self-blame. (SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 22 years and have more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org) Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter Isely (414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003)
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