Judge grants small legal victory to AP, church sex abuse victims

By Travers Mackel
WDSU-TV
January 31, 2020

https://www.wdsu.com/article/judge-grants-small-legal-victory-to-ap-church-sex-abuse-victims/30734438#

A Civil Court judge in New Orleans ruled that the Associated Press can move forward with its attempt to unseal emails between the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the New Orleans Saints.

Judge Ellen Hazeur ruled that a special master will hear the matter in February.

The AP and lawyers representing victims of clergy sexual abuse are trying to have the documents unsealed.

The Saints, at this time, are trying to block that release.

The team admits that executives worked with the archbishop in 2018 on media relations when the church released the names of clergy credible accused of sexual abuse.

The Saints say their work was "minimal" and they remain appalled by the actions of former clergy.

It comes as SNAP, a survivors group of victims, sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"Dear Commissioner Goodell, Less than a week out from the NFL’s premier event, a storm in Louisiana is disrupting what should be a celebration of another season. As survivors of clergy sexual abuse and advocates for survivors, we are turning to you to help weather these recent events. As you no doubt know, court proceedings have revealed that an NFL owner used NFL resources to thrust itself into the middle of a battle for transparency, dignity, and safety. By using New Orleans Saints personnel to not only advise church officials from the Archdiocese of New Orleans on how to address cases of clergy sexual abuse, but also to help shape the list of publicly accused priests that this archdiocese has released, Saints owner Gayle Benson has dragged the NFL into an issue that is far beyond the league’s scope and boundary. According to attorneys for survivors of clergy abuse in New Orleans, “the Saints appear to have had a hand in determining which names should or should not have been included on the pedophile list.” It is beyond disturbing that an owner of an NFL team is able to use her power and position to influence public knowledge about abusers of children. Mrs. Benson and her team have no expertise, training, nor standing to be involved in this issue. Despite that, the power wielded by an NFL owner is substantial and that power appears to have been used in this case to help keep abusers hidden, prevent survivors from receiving justice, and actively put other children in harm’s way. As advocates and survivors, our mission is to make sure that we are supporting survivors and keeping the vulnerable safe from harm. In this situation, the NFL has actively worked against that mission. This is directly contrary to the NFL’s values of respect and integrity and I cannot imagine that this situation is something that the NFL wants to be dealing with, especially on the eve of its largest and most important event. We implore you to use the power of your office to show that the NFL is an ally to survivors instead of the adversary that the Saints have been. As Commissioner of the NFL, you have significant power to achieve this goal. We have several suggestions for you:

1. The NFL’s constitution enables you to suspend owners and fine them up to $500,000 for

“conduct detrimental to the welfare of the league.” We would encourage you to levy

this fine and earmark its use for organizations that actively work to prevent abuse and

support survivors, both in a clergy abuse and sports context. Some organizations that

you could consider include The Army of Survivors, Bishop Accountability, the New

Orleans Family Justice Center, and SNAP.

2. As commissioner of the world’s most profitable sports league, your public presence and

public statements can have a profound impact and reach. You could make a public

statement expressing support for survivors and condemning institutional secrecy that

allows sexual abuse to thrive. Your words matter and a show of support for survivors in

this way would mean much and more to thousands of wounded people who follow the

NFL.

In many ways, this situation reminds us of that which was faced by NBA Commissioner Adam

Silver when he was confronted with the racism exhibited by former Clippers owner Donald

Sterling. When one owner sticks their neck out to take an archaic stand on social justice issues,

it is incumbent on the league itself to show that its mission and values are more than just words

on paper. We hope that you will follow in Commissioner Silver’s footsteps in taking quick action

to reaffirm the NFL’s commitment to its fans and public, not let the actions of a rogue owner

stain the shield and what it stands for.

We would be happy to speak with you or representatives from your office. Our New Orleans

Leader is a survivor, lifelong Saints fan, and proud season ticket holder. We are confident that

there are other survivors like Kevin who would benefit from intervention by the NFL, and we

look forward to hearing from you."