AUSTRALIA
WA Today
March 4, 2013
Barney Zwartz
Cardinal George Pell must not become pope because it would rub salt into the wounds of clergy sex abuse victims, according to leaders of the world’s biggest victim advocacy group.
The call by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which has more than 12,000 members worldwide, came as retired Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy suggested clergy abuse would not be prominent in pre-conclave discussions by the cardinals this week.
SNAP leader David Clohessy said Cardinal Pell was high on the list of cardinals who were morally compromised over abuse.
”I hope he doesn’t even get a vote to avoid rubbing salt into the fresh wounds of not just victims but betrayed Catholics as well.”
Mr Clohessy said Cardinal Pell blamed the sex abuse crisis on the media, claiming it was a smear campaign against the church.
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