PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )
Two credible and knowledgeable Philadelphia Catholics – including noted blogger Susan Matthews – report that they’ve heard rumors that Archbishop Charles Chaput may disclose this weekend the fates of some alleged predator priests by making announcements at some parishes. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS ACCURATE OR NOT.
It’s about time. Victims, their families and Philly Catholics have waited far too long for some clarity from church officials about these accused child molesters. Whenever Chaput makes this announcement, we suspect he won’t be completely forthcoming about key details.
If this is true, it’s another sign of Chaput’s irresponsible secrecy.
When Chaput’s hand-picked panel makes a decision about an accused priest, he should disclose it immediately. To wait is to be unfair to everyone involved. Worse, to wait is often to endanger kids.
There’s only one reason to delay and to lump multiple accused predator priests together for one big announcement. That reason is public relations. Chaput simply wants to try and make sure there’s just one story about child molesting clerics, not several stories.
And he wants to put his “spin” on these cases with his flock first, before they hear unbiased accounts from impartial media outlets.
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