MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Statement by Frank Meuers of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 952-334-5180, frankameuers@gmail.com )
When it comes to clergy sex crimes and cover ups, John Choi has been no ‘profile in courage.’ So we’re saddened but not surprised by news that he won’t prosecute two predator priests.
The phrase “where there’s a will, there’s a way” comes to mind. And the case of Al Capone comes to mind. Energetic prosecutors finally nailed him on income tax evasion.
Had Choi convened a grand jury, as we urged, who knows if the outcome here would have been different? Or had he more aggressively begged victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to step forward? Or if subpoenas had been issued on Catholic officials?
What now? We can only hope that more brave victims, witnesses and whistleblowers will step forward and do all they can to expose clerics who commit and conceal child sex crimes. We also hope police and prosecutors will get more creative and aggressive about pursuing these heinous crimes and cover ups. And we hope that lawmakers will do all they can to remedy this tragic and dangerous situations through hearings and legislation that will make it easier for the victims of child sex crimes to expose the perpetrators and enablers of those crimes. Finally, we hope more victims will turn to and use the civil court system to get the truth about this horrific crisis brought into the public view.
What we know for sure is that giving up, keeping silent and suffering alone won’t help. No matter how hopeless it may seem, kids need us to stay strong and speak up.
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