UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Pope will speak @ United Nations; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Jan. 19
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( +1 312 399 4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org )
Pope Francis confirmed today that he’ll speak to the United Nations in NYC later this year.
When he does, we urge him to directly address the two UN panel reports that are highly critical of how top Catholic officials still endanger kids, move predators and maintain secrecy around clergy sex crimes.
Francis has basically ignored these compelling reports while defensive underlings ducked, dodged and denied the solid evidence in them and attacked the motives of the dedicated volunteers who wrote them.
While making progress on church morale, finances and governance, Francis has made minimal gestures on abuse and cover ups. He must do more. We strongly urge diplomats and UN staff to prod the pope to take tangible action to expose crimes, punish enablers, help prosecutors, deter cover ups and make kids safer right now by ousting and revealing both clerics who commit and conceal sexual violence.
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