Vatican--Two controversial prelates are “demoted;” Victims respond

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
November 22, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/vatican_two_controversial_prelates_are_demoted_victims_respond

Pope Francis is not re-appointing two controversial, highly visible prelates to a global church panel. We’re glad this is happening even though we likely disagree with the pontiff for the reasons.

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-confirms-removal-burke-pell-worship-congregation

Cardinal Raymond Burke and Cardinal George Pell will no longer be on the Rome-basedCongregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. (Their terms have expired and Francis is not renewing them.) The two are among ex-members who reportedly “are known for preferring a more traditionalist practice of liturgy” than Francis, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

Burke, Pell and many other bishops across the world should be passed over for promotions, not given honors and in fact be temporarily suspended or permanently ousted because they’re ignored or hidden credible reports of abuse (Burke) or been credibly accused of abuse themselves (Pell).

We long to see the day when a high ranking Catholic official is defrocked, demoted, disciplined or even publicly denounced for endangering kids. There seem to be virtually no consequences for bishops who act recklessly, callously or deceitfully in sexual abuse and cover up cases. 

No matter what church officials do or don’t do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in churches or institutions to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.