Cardinal Dolan Being Criticized by National Organization

By Courtney Gousman
KSDK
May 6, 2012

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/319019/3/Cardinal-Dolan-being-criticized-by-national-organization


St. Louis (KSDK)-- Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York City, is also facing some scrutiny from a national group that deals with sexual abuse allegations surrounding Catholic clergy, while returning home to St. Louis. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priest, or S.N.A.P., protested Sunday afternoon outside Cardinal Dolan's mass.

Sunday, it became very clear that both Cardinal Dolan and S.N.A.P. have their differences.

About a half dozen people backing S.N.A.P. protested outside the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis this afternoon. Leaders of the group handed out about 200 flyers to parishioners on their way into mass. The flyers expressed the group's disapproval with Cardinal Dolan's track record when involved with clergy sexual abuse cases.

S.N.A.P. supporters spoke specifically of one case based out of New York City that they believe Cardinal Dolan is not taking seriously.

During an afternoon news conference, Cardinal Dolan talked about his strained relationship with S.N.A.P., which dates back several years.

"To be honest, my relationship is not too good. I got burned pretty back when I was in Milwaukee because I did meet with them and I found it counterproductive and destructive," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

"Publicly he puts on a pleasant face and a warm exterior and everybody finds him a charming, delightful man, and yet behind the scenes and in the courtroom, and in the state house, he acts just like every other Catholic Bishop does, trying to keep a lid on clergy sex crimes and cover- ups, trying to discourage victims from coming forward," said David Clohessy, Directory of S.N.A.P.

Cardinal Dolan also went on to say there was a time when he worked with S.N.A.P. to establish programs to help address clergy abuse issues, but believes the organization didn't want to cooperate with the church.

S.N.A.P. says its goal during Sunday's protest was to inform the public and encourage Cardinal Dolan to do more when it comes to advocating for alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse.