WASHINGTON
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790cell, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
We applaud the brave woman who just settled her child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit against the Seattle Catholic archdiocese. But we deplore the continuing secrecy of church officials with predators.
[KING]
Archbishop Peter Sartain could have publicly disclosed the first time someone reported janitor Chuck Siddon’s alleged abuse. He could have done so the first time an abuse report against Siddon was deemed “credible.” He could have done so the first time the archdiocese was sued because of Siddon’s alleged crimes. He could have done so when the archdiocese first paid off one of Siddon’s alleged victims.
Instead, at every juncture, Sartain opts for secrecy over openness, until the bitter end. And even then, instead of providing the full truth, he provides self-serving “spin.”
Sartain should publicly apologize for hiding Siddon’s alleged crimes. He should publicly disclose the names, whereabouts and work histories of every single proven, admitted and credibly accused sex offender who has worked in Seattle area church jobs, whether living or deceased, clerical or lay, high-ranking or entry-level. And for the safety of kids and the healing of victims, he should list all of this, permanently, on archdiocesan and parish websites.
Church officials like to use words like “mistakes” and “failures” to describe their incredibly hurtful moves. We respectfully disagree. Deliberate decisions to help keep criminals concealed aren’t “goofs” or “oversights.” These are careful choices made by smart men to protect their own reputations, careers, comfort and “brand.”
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