BishopAccountability.org
	Statement from SNAP Director David Clohessy WMUR [New Hampshire] May 4, 2007 http://www.wmur.com/news/13261327/detail.html The following is a statement from David Clohessy, of St. Louis, national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, in response to the New Hampshire attorney general's audit of the Diocese of Manchester. We're grateful that the AG recognizes that the problems in the Manchester Diocese start at the top. The mere existence of policies and procedures on paper don't protect kids and any reasonable person realizes this. We're sad but not surprised that church officials still insist on moving slowly, not rapidly, in removing suspected pedophile employees. It is disappointing but typical that the church hierarchy continues to be obsessed with self-reporting and resists any real external help or monitoring. We concur with New Hampshire's top law enforcement officials who have concluded that Catholic leaders often engage in hairsplitting legalisms and clever "word games" instead of genuine reform when it comes to child safety. Finally, on perhaps the most crucial point of all, we are relieved that the AG is committed to honoring the original agreement for annual audits, despite the almost childish petulant foot-dragging by McCormack and his staff. We applaud the NH AG for insisting that this historically secretive and reckless diocese submit to more independent oversight. We hope the AG makes sure that, as Catholic officials agreed, all five annual audits are held. Even that, we feel, won't be sufficient to guarantee the safety of innocent kids and vulnerable adults in the Manchester Diocese. It would, however, be a start, and anything less than five audits would show that church officials aren't serious about reform. Regardless of the clerical status of the proven, admitted, and credibly accused abusive priests, McCormack has a duty to go beyond merely suspending or defrocking these dangerous predators. He must do more to warn parents about them and protect kids from them. It's crucial that, as a bare minimum, he do what 15 of his brother bishops have done and post the names of these molesters on his diocesan website, in his diocesan newspaper, and in parish bulletins. We hope that this news today will prompt others who have been hurt by NH clerics — whether priests, nuns, brothers, bishops or lay employees — to come forward, get help, start healing and report these devastating crimes to law enforcement. That's what will best safeguard vulnerable youngsters — when victims and witnesses find the courage to report clergy sex crimes and the wisdom to take legal action.
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