CHICAGO (IL)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
More from SNAP re new Chicago archbishop
For immediate release: Saturday, Sept. 20
Statement by Kate Bochte, SNAP leader, 630-768-1860, keight@sbcglobal.net
Many commentators are stressing that Cupich is perceived as a “moderate” in terms of his theology, philosophy or behavior. It’s important to remember, however, that Catholic officials of all stripes have concealed – and often are still concealing – awful crimes against children. “Left wing,” “right wing” and “centrist” bishops deal with clergy sex crimes and cover ups in remarkably similar ways. On this continuing crisis in the church, it’s irresponsible to assume that Cupich will be any better than George. Prudent people will remain skeptical and let Cupich hopefully prove, through his deeds (not his words) that he is committed to the safety of children.
Before we talk about Cupich’s past, let’s focus on what he could and should do, right now, to safeguard innocent kids and vulnerable predators in the church and help suffering Chicago abuse victims and betrayed Chicago Catholics feel reassured.
–Historically, incoming prelates first say mass at the diocesan Cathedral. We urge Cupich to break this tradition. We beg him to go first to one of the parishes where Chicago’s most notorious predator priest, the now defrocked Daniel McCormack, molested kids. We beg Cupich to prod his flock to aggressively seek out others McCormack may have assaulted and who may still be suffering in silence, shame and self-blame. (That kind of outreach is effective, but we have rarely seen a bishop do it.)
–He should put Fr. Robert Stepek in a remote, secure, independent treatment center so children will be safer.
[SNAP]
– At least 39 Spokane priests have been publicly accused of child sexual abuse. That’s a very high number for a relatively small diocese. Cupich should explain, in detail, what he has done that goes “above and beyond” the bare minimum of paying settlements and suspending predators.
– He and his top aides in Spokane acknowledge that 27 of these 39 clerics have molested children. He should explain that discrepancy.
– He should tell parishioners and the public precisely what he has done to warn parents about and protect kids from Patrick G. O’Connell, the most prolific and notorious child molesting cleric in the Northwest.
[BishopAccountability.org]
Here’s what we know about Cupich’s past:
1) Earlier this year, a priest was still on the job at a Catholic college in Cupich’s Spokane diocese even though
–-eight years earlier, the priest was sued for molesting two boys in Alaska,
– was removed from his duties by his Jesuit supervisors, and
— was allegedly put under 24 hour surveillance at a Jesuit institution.
We urged Cupich to warn the public and their parishioners about the priest, Fr. Brad Reynolds, and insist that Jesuits suspend him and aggressively reach out to others he may have hurt.”
[SNAP]
As best we can tell, Cupich ignored our request.
2) In 2010, we urged Cupich to reach out to others who may have been hurt by a priest who exploited and impregnated a Catholic parishioner. As best we can tell.
[SNAP]
3) In 2007, we backed Cupich in the election for head of the US bishops’ sex abuse committee chairmanship. At that time, we admitted that we knew little about Cupich but endorse his candidacy simply because his competitors have poorer track records on abuse cases. (Because of the Spokane bankruptcy, much of his abuse track record was sealed or hidden.)
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