Vatican – Pope essentially rebuffs UN panel

UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday December 3, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 SNAPdorris@gmail.com

The Vatican is ducking and dodging a United Nations Panel’s request for information about the churches ongoing clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis.

[Center for Constitutional Rights]

[National Secular Society]

On clergy sex crimes and cover ups, Pope Francis breaks no new ground. Like Benedict and John Paul before him, he parses words, splits hairs, hides information, and exploits legalistic technicalities.

The pope’s refusal to give straight answers and act exactly like his predecessors is especially disheartening because in so many other ways he seems like a tiny bit of fresh air. If he’s willing to bend and break some long standing church traditions, why is he so unwilling to do so about the safety of kids?

This is a simple sad story: the pope refuses to honor a deadline, tell the truth, and be accountable. New face, same outcome. Ultimately keeping children away from predators is far more important than carrying your own luggage and riding a bus.

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