UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 11
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 917 439 4187, mcaplan682@aol.com )
Like his precedessors, Pope Francis tweaks policies instead of firing criminals. He’s doing it again now.
Yet another new church body will reportedly be created. This one will supposedly deal with the “most egregious” clergy sex crimes.
But it’s the front end where attention is needed, not the back end. The Pope should focus on independent prevention work, not on biased church adjudication.
And it’s not progress when the very prelates who conceal abuse rule on abusers’ fates.
The Tablet reports there will be a new “special procedure for any bishop accused of grave crimes.”
Again, new procedures aren’t needed. Decisive action is needed. And historically, only bishops who commit child sex crimes face even the slightest discipline while the hundreds more who conceal the crimes are ignored or promoted.
Defrocking dangerous molesters is a first step not the last that any bishop should take. While this long overdue step may bring some comfort to the victims and their family members who have been hurt by these men, it is important to remember that molesters are not cured and may still pose a serious threat to nearby children.
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