ROME
National Catholic Reporter

by John L. Allen Jr. | Mar. 5, 2013

Rome

In any walk of life, campaign season always brings people out of the woodwork with a point to make or an axe to grind, and Rome in the run-up to the looming conclave is certainly no exception.

Over the last few days, people from a bewildering variety of backgrounds and perspectives have been trying to make themselves heard above the din, some quite effectively, others coming off as just downright wierd.

Among the former, the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests, the main advocacy group for victims of clerical abuse in the United States, has been holding regular press conferences at Rome’s Orange Hotel and issuing statements on issues as they emerge, such as the resignation of Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien of Scotland. SNAP runs a smart, fast press operation, and has emerged as…