Three Immediate Steps That Must Be Taken in Buffalo

SNAP
September 6, 2019

https://www.snapnetwork.org/three_immediate_steps_buffalo_sep19

Buffalo's bishop will not resign, he says. However new tapes show that he is still trying to hide the truth, and church officials in New York and the Vatican are doing nothing.

To us, the remedy is simple:

First, Catholics must be more outspoken and critical, especially directly to Bishop Richard Malone himself, about how he continues to evade the truth and endanger the vulnerable. This has started with a call for the bishop’s resignation coming from the local Movement to Restore Trust. That call must be amplified by other local Catholics who have seen their diocese become the poster child for the continuing abuse crisis.

Second, more diocesan whistleblowers must step forward. If the bishop will not act to protect the vulnerable and tell the truth, then current and former church staffers and members must do so. No matter what you know or suspect - even if it is second hand or old or seemingly insignificant, now is the time to speak up. Last year, Siobhan O’Connor stepped out as a powerful voice for prevention and doing the right thing. We hope others will learn from her courage, follow in her footsteps and display similar courage in coming forward. If you need help to do so, you can contact our group for support.

Third, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan should stop passively sitting back and doing nothing. He need not wait on some other church official to initiate action towards “fraternal correction.”Cardinal Dolan himself can - and should - publicly denounce his Buffalo colleague’s behavior. The culture of secrecy will only end when people within that culture help to uproot it. Cardinal Dolan should speak out today.

CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director (517-974-9009, zhiner@snapnetwork.org)