IL–Victims ask college to rescind bishop’s honor

ILLINOIS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release Thursday, December 24, 2015

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A Joliet college should end its practice of honoring a disgraced, just-deceased Catholic bishop.

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Each year, University of St. Francis officials give a “Bishop Joseph Imesch award” to a teacher. But Imesch clearly, repeatedly and deliberately concealed and enabled horrific clergy sex crimes. Honoring him rubs salt into the already-deep and still-fresh wounds of both clergy sex abuse victims and Catholics.

College officials should re-name this award and apologize to all who have been hurt by this callous decision. Honoring those who conceal child sex crimes only encourages others to conceal child sex crimes. It’s both hurtful and unwise, insulting the wounded and endangering the vulnerable.

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