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	Advocates for Sex-Abuse Victims Seeks Place at Pope John Paul II Memorial By Nikki Renner The Arizona Republic September 11, 2007 http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0911abrk-popememorial0911-ON.html?&wired An organization that helps victims of sexual abuse by priests delivered a letter to the Phoenix Diocese on Tuesday seeking permission to speak at a memorial for Pope John Paul II. The organization, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, wants to have one or two sexual abuse victims speak at the memorial service about how John Paul II took steps to address sexual abuse by priests in the church. "We want to be here (at the memorial) because we thought he (Pope John Paul II) was a man who did speak out against the crimes of the church," Ken Babb, Phoenix director of the organization, said as he stood outside the doors of the diocese on Tuesday. Babb said that when victims speak out, it encourages other victims to come forward too. He also wants people to know that there is more the Catholic Church can do for the victims of sexual abuse by priests. That opportunity presented itself to the organization in the form of a memorial to remember Pope John Paul II for his visit to Phoenix and St. Mary's Basilica Catholic Church in 1987. On Tuesday morning, Babb walked through the doors of the diocese, followed be the media, and handed the letter to Jim Dwyer, director of public information for the Diocese. Although Babb said the presence of his organization at the memorial would be valuable, Dwyer maintained that the memorial is for commemorating John Paul II's visit to the Valley and the event isn't for any other agenda. In a later conversation Dwyer also added that, contrary to Babb's opinion, the diocese is very active in tackling the problem of priest sex offenders. Dwyer said the diocese would give some consideration to the request made by Babb, but did not want to change the purpose of the celebration. The memorial service for Pope John Paul II will be at St. Mary's Basilica on Saturday. The mass will begin at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a reception, dinner, and special presentation.
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