MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014
Statement by Frank Meuers of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, frankameuers@gmail.com)
A lengthy new Minnesota Public Radio investigation reveals that St. Paul/Minneapolis Catholic officials have long under-reported the number of predator priests in the Twin Cities area.
Here’s the story’s bottom line – despite decades of pledges and policies that allegedly require “openness” about clergy sex cases, St. Paul Catholic officials continue to protect predators and keep secrets. Archdiocesan staff say 33 predator priests. Two independent sources put the figures much higher (BishopAccountability.org says 45. Minnesota Public Radio says at least 70.)
But here’s what’s the most frustrating to us: “All of the lists obtained by MPR News contain information that police have never seen.”
What are the police and prosecutors doing? Why aren’t they seizing church abuse and cover up records now, before archdiocesan staff have time to destroy, “lose” or alter them?
According to MPR, “St. Paul police have not asked the archdiocese to turn over its files on accused priests. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi has told MPR News that he doesn’t plan to convene a grand jury. St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith has told MPR News he lacks probable cause for search warrants or subpoenas to seize the chancery’s files.”
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