CHICAGO (IL)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Victims push for more predator priest files
And they react to action by United Nations panel
SNAP testified about Chicago abuse case in Geneva
Group wants Cardinal George to release more records
“Opening the Fr. McCormack files is crucial,” victims say
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will push Chicago Catholic officials to
–release more records about predator priests, and
–ask a court to disclose files about Chicago’s most notorious child molesting cleric, Fr. Daniel McCormack.
They will also respond to a historic, just-released United Nations panel’s report on how the Vatican is dealing with clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
WHEN
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 1:00 pm
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Chicago archdiocese chancery office, 835 N Rush, St, in Chicago
WHO
Four-five adults who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org). Some were molested as kids; others are concerned Catholics. One, SNAP’s founder, has made two trips to Geneva in connection with the UN process and testified before the panel.
WHY
1) At 5:00 a.m. central time Wednesday, the Geneva-based United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child will issue a much-awaited report on whether Vatican officials are complying with a treaty on children’s rights. ( It will likely be posted here: http://ccrjustice.org/ and herehttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx )
[SNAP]
US members of SNAP, including Chicago’s Barbara Blaine, testified before the UN panel and were in Geneva last month when Vatican officials did the same. SNAP also submitted a lengthy report
Both verbally and in writing, SNAP cited the troubling 2006 case of Chicago’s Fr. Daniel McCormack as one of many examples showing that Catholic officials still endanger kids, protect predators and hide information about known and suspected child sex crimes from police and prosecutors.
SNAP also cited a 2012 Chicago Tribune report about 32 proven, admitted or credibly accused US predator priests who have been sent or have gone overseas, sometimes to evade law enforcement.
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