KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Monday, September 29, 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 )
What is to investigate? Years ago, Finn was found guilty of breaking the law and knowingly and repeatedly hiding evidence of child sex crimes from police. Because of his selfish and callous crime, more innocent little girls and their families were hurt by then Fr. Shawn Rattigan. Both Francis and Benedict should have ousted and defrocked Finn long ago. Doesn’t common sense and human decency strongly suggest that Finn has no place in ministry?
Secular investigations trump church “investigations” If Francis wants to investigate complicit church officials, there are plenty who merit it. He need not start with one whose guilt has been clearly proven. Francis is doing with Finn what Benedict did with Maciel. It is not enough to grudgingly and belatedly take timid steps against a wrong doer only after his crimes have created an ongoing international controversy. The Pope must be proactive and stern, not reactive and trepid. He must harshly and publicly discipline a number of corrupt, “enabling” church officials if he really intends to protect kids and deter cover-ups.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.