UNITED STATES
Digital Journal
By Greta McClain
Sep 5, 2012
New York- Last week Fr. Benedict Groeschel, a prominent Catholic priest, found himself in the eye of a controversial storm after he made statements blaming children for sexual abuse. Reactions to his his comments were swift and fierce.
Many organizations and individuals expressed their outrage over Groeschel’s comments, as well as asking why leaders within the Catholic Church have called his statements wrong, but have issued no form of disciplinary action for the remarks. Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) issued a statement calling for Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Daniel Conlon to immediately censure Groeschel. The statement went on to say
“Dolan should speak not only because he is the Catholic leader of America, but also because both Groeschel and his order are based in New York, thus falling under Dolan’s supervision. Conlon should speak because he is the chair of the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, and should know firsthand the devastation that sex abuse wreaks on a child.”
Mark Crawford, leader of the New Jersey SNAP office, issued the following statement:
“Benedict treated many priests with credible allegations of clergy abuse. If the Archdiocese of NY was so quick to distance themselves from his [Groeschel] remarks, then what are they doing about all the priests he “cleared” for return to the ministry, because they were seduced by young boys?
The Salesian who molested me and many other boys was counseled by Benedict Groeschel before the abuses we now know about. I know there were others which were never disclosed publicly and perhaps that is why he was sent to Benedict in the first place.
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