BAKERSFIELD (CA)
Bakersfield Californian
May 1, 2019
By Ema Sasic and Sam Morgen
A prayer vigil being held tonight in support of Monsignor Craig Harrison has received some backlash from members of the community, even calling for the cancellation of the event.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, SNAP, penned a letter to Fresno Catholic Bishop Joseph V. Brennan to cancel the vigil because it “will impede a police investigation and deter others who may have seen, suspected or suffered abuse from coming forward.”
“Backers of Msgr. Craig Harrison are no doubt well-intentioned. Still, they’ll do great harm tonight if they proceed,” the letter stated. “As their shepherd, you can — and should — guide them. You must tell them their vigil will scare and depress others, including kids who are being molested today by other predators, into staying silent.”
Joey Piscitelli, the northern California leader for SNAP, said he’s seen vigils such as the one scheduled for 6 p.m. today at St. Francis Church in the past. When a priest has a large following in the community, often their supporters “bash” the alleged victims.
“We understand that a lot of people want to support him, but the problem is that’ll scare alleged victims from coming forward,” he said. “They’ll think they’re outnumbered and that they’ll be bashed.”
Piscitelli said when he came forward after a priest abused him, supporters of the priest called him a “liar.”
“They’re not involved or know what happened,” Piscitelli said. “They’re not a party to the act, so how could they call victims liars?”
Piscitelli said he is planning on putting on a vigil for alleged victims the “early part of next week.” He and other SNAP members will pass out pamphlets with more information on next steps to take if someone is allegedly abused by a priest.
News of the vigil sparked more than 70 comments on The Californian’s Facebook page.
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