OR- New Portland Catholic bishop appointed; SNAP responds

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
March 4, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/or_new_portland_catholic_bishop_appointed_snap_responds

Msgr. Peter Leslie Smith is the new auxiliary of the Portland Catholic archdiocese. We are disappointed by this choice.

http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/03/other-pontifical-acts_4.html 

Smith is a civil and a canon lawyer. In our view, the church hierarchy needs fewer lawyers, not more lawyers. Kids and victims need prelates who are trained to deal with this horrific, on-going crisis from a pastoral perspective, not a legal perspective.

He is also the vice chair of the presbyteral council, the vicar general and moderator of the Curia – all high ranking posts. So we strongly suspect that he knows of or suspects clergy child sex crimes and cover ups that he's not helping to uncover.

We are encouraged when rank-and-file priests, not consummate church insiders, are promoted. That's the way to bring real change.