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	Nsac: New York Times Story Revelations Stunning Voice from the Desert March 25, 2010 http://reform-network.net/?p=3276 This NSAC–National Survivor Advocates Coalition–press release is from the NSAC News, 3.25.2010. * * * PRESS RELEASE NSAC: NEW YORK TIMES STORY REVELATIONS STUNNING [Click here to read this story published on 3.25.2010 on this blog] POPE BENEDICT’s WORDS DO NOT MATCH HIS ACTIONS CALLS on FELLOW CATHOLICS to OPENLY WELCOME SURVIVORS IN THE PARISHES and STAND WITH THEM March 25, 2010 For Immediate Release “Stunning,” the National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) called the revelations in today’s New York Times story regaridng the involvement and attitude of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger now Pope Benedict in the case of Wisconsin priest, Father Lawrence Murphy. “We join our voice with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and call for a total and complete release of the documents of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith from 2001-2005 showing the involvement and attitude of Pope Benedict (then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) in clergy sexual abuse cases, ” the coalition said. “It is now clear,” the coalition said, ‘” the Church, directly in the person of Cardinal Joseph Ratizinger who rose to the position of Pope, cared more for the Church’s reputation and its clergy than the innocent and vulnerable entrusted to its care.” “When was it ever right at any time or place for a child to be molested by a priest or nun and for the concern for the reputation of the abuser and the Church supercede what is right? This we ask the Church today,” the coalition said. “What is particularly stunning, ” the coalition said, ” is the juxtaposition of the language in Pope Benedict’s letter to the Irish people, his words during his trip to the United States and his meeting with survivors, and his pledge to Cardinal Francis George in the days before the conclave about the ”filth” of the scandal against the revelations in today’s news report.” “We quote Pope Benedict — filth indeed.” the coalition said. The coalition expressed particular concern for the survivors. “These revelations, though necessary, spark painful flashbacks for the survivors. This will not be an easy day for them.” But the coalition also spoke to its fellow Catholics in the pews. “These revelations will shock and sadden Catholics. We understand their pain. We ask them to turn now deliberately and determinedly to openly support the survivors of sexual abuse by priests and nuns. We urge them to drop the skeptical and even spurning approach to the survivors that has been evident in many parishes. Welcome them with open arms as your wounded and hurting brothers and sisters. See now that all that they have so courageously revealed of their sufferings is documented, ” the coalition said. The coalition reiterated its call for Catholics to re-route collection money either to directly pay parish service suppliers or to trusted charities in order to make Cardinals, Bishops and priests, and heads of religious communities of men and women to listen to their outrage of the actions taken in their name as members of the universal Church Contact: Kristine Ward, 937-272-0308 Kristineward@hotmail.com www.nsacoalition.org
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