MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 14, 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)
St. Paul Archbishop John Nienstedt is inflicting emotional whiplash on abuse victims and concerned Catholics.
Yesterday, he said (through his public relations team), that he “looks forward to working with the court and all affected parties to promote the protection of children (and) the healing of victims.”
And today, he’s trying (through his lawyers) to block the very disclosures that help protect kids and heal victims, disclosures ordered by a judge who carefully considered the very real public safety risk that result when dozens of proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics are allowed to live and work among unsuspecting families and colleagues after being ousted – often quietly – from Catholic parishes because of child sex abuse reports.
What’s changed in 24 hours? Nienstedt may have thought more about how devastating his deposition – and Fr. Kevin McDonough’s deposition – will almost certainly be. As long as they hide behind their desks and their public relations professionals, Catholic officials can make any claim or promise they like, no matter how far-fetched or absurd. But when they must face tough questions under oath about their complicity, that’s when the facade really begins to crumble. And Nienstedt knows and fears this.
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