ITALY
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314-566-9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )
An Italian bishop secretly defrocked an abusive priest and victims are now calling for his resignation. We support this call.
The former priest Marco Mangiacasale was fired last December after the CDF determined the allegations against him were credible. Bishop Diego Coletti of Como, however, tried to keep the laicization hidden. That’s wrong. Parents, parishioners and the public need and deserve to know which clerics and ex-clerics pose a danger to kids.
We are glad that Italian victims are speaking up. We are disappointed that Como Catholic officials put their reputations before the needs of victims. We hope Pope Francis will punish Bishop Coletti for his deceitful and irresponsible behavior.
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