NEW ORLEANS (LA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, June 12, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
It’s said that the layman who heads the bishops hand-picked abuse panel apparently believes that his vague, mini-sermon today to America’s bishops might do something.
This panel, the National Review Board, was never a watchdog. And it quickly became a lap dog. Once filled with people who had independent jobs, it’s now largely stacked with people who depend on the church for paychecks (directly and indirectly). Once filled with high profile, somewhat outspoken people, it’s now filled with low profile and completely silent people. Once filled with somewhat savvy realists, it’s now largely filled with mostly naive optimists.
Reform of the Catholic hierarchy’s response to clergy abuse and cover ups, if it ever happens, will come thanks to external sources, not internal sources, and thanks to victims, police, prosecutors, journalists and advocates, and in spite of bishops and their carefully-chosen and cowardly appointees.
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