CA – SNAP responds to punishments for Bishop Curry and Cardinal Mahony

LOS ANGELES (CA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

Posted by David Clohessy on February 01, 2013

Bishop Thomas Curry stepping down is a small, belated step in the right direction, though it’s obviously only being done because the horrific extent of his complicity is about to become publicly known. He should have been fired long ago.

Several bishops across the globe have stepped down when their reckless, callous and deceitful actions in clergy sex cases has become known. It should happen far more often. But it would be much more powerful if the Pope and other high ranking church officials would actually force their corrupt colleagues out.

Hand-slapping Mahony is a nearly meaningless gesture. When he had real power, and abused it horribly, he should have been demoted or disciplined by the church hierarchy, in Rome and in the US. But not a single Catholic cleric anywhere had the courage to even denounce him. Shame on them. …

Statement by Los Angeles SNAP leader Esther Hatfield of Huntington Beach CA

The posting of this information by LA Catholic officials is a public relations gambit to divert attention from years and years of deception about pedophile priests and children’s safety. They’ll posture as “transparent.” But that will be a desperate and laughable ruse.

In truth, LA church officials – including Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop Jose Gomez, Bishop Thomas Curry and others – have relentlessly and expensively and successfully fought for years to keep these horrific secrets secret.

It’s ludicrous for Mahony, Gomez and Curry to claim to be “forthcoming” with records they’ve successfully kept hidden for decades, using millions of dollars from generous parishioners to pay high prices lawyers to obstruct disclosures.

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