Child sex abuse inquiry told of Jesuit cover-up

AUSTRALIA
ABC – PM

SALLY SARA: Victoria’s parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious organisations has been told the Jesuit order of priests is not immune from allegations of child sexual abuse and that it too has been involved in a cover up.

The inquiry today took evidence from members of the group SNAP Australia, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

The international group is currently involved in a case in the International Criminal Court which alleges the Pope and three senior Vatican officials are guilty of crimes against humanity through the direct cover up of abuse.

Alison Caldwell reports.

ALISON CALDWELL: Chicago-based Barbara Blaine is the founder and president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. She’s worked with victims of child sexual abuse for over two decades.

Speaking at Victoria’s inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious organisations, she spoke about SNAP’s complaint to the International Criminal Court, which alleges the Pope and three other senior Vatican officials have been engaged in a cover up.

BARBARA BLAINE: The Pope is held in such high regard, and yet here I am alleging that he’s involved in committing crimes against humanity.

Just three ways that they do this are by priest shifting, by transferring predator priests from one place to another, by their refusal to cooperate with the civil authorities, and this is, I’m assuming, experienced here in Australia.

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