KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Unless Finn appeals, victims will share $1.1 million
Their message to bishop: “Accept justice, don’t appeal”
They urge Catholic officials: post predators’ names on church websites
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, victims of clergy sex abuse and their supporters will discuss and give copies of a new court ruling upholding their unprecedented $1.1 million “breach of contract” award. They will also urge KC’s Catholic bishop to:
– stop waging an “incredibly expensive” legal defense battle, and instead honor his pledges by not appealing the ruling, and
– permanently post on his diocesan website, as a way to protect kids and show contrition, the names of all proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics who are or have been in the KC diocese.
And the group will:
– explain how their unprecedented lawsuit and the arbitrator’s historic decision impacts victims across the country, and
– urge those victims in other cities and states to consider filing similar suits to force bishops to live up to their child protection promises.
Finally, they will also prod everyone who sees, suspects or suffers clergy sex crimes to keep coming forward and calling police.
WHEN
TODAY, Friday, Aug. 15, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE
Outside Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Catholic Church, 3333 Broadway Blvd. in Kansas City MO
WHO
Four-six individuals who were assaulted as kids by Kansas City priests, including at least one or two who are part of the unusual “breach of contract” lawsuit against KC Catholic officials. Most are members of a support group called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
WHY
Yesterday, a KC judge has upheld an unprecedented “breach of contract” award to 42 clergy sex abuse victims, the only such award in the country.
Bishop Robert Finn and his diocese have now been twice ordered to pay $1.1 million to these victims because he broke his pledges to improve how he deals with pedophile priest cases.
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