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	Cardinal Francis George of Chicago Asked to Step down As President of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops AHN November 10, 2008 http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012978944 Chicago, IL (AHN) - The highest leader in the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the United States is being asked to resign for failing to address sexual abuse by priests and allowing a convicted sex offender to work for the Archdiocese of Chicago. According to FOX News Chicago, Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago received a letter Sunday from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) urging him to step down as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, a 200-member body comprising of bishops across the country. As president, George leads the proceeding of the bishop's conference held in Baltimore on Monday. Barbara Blaine, SNAP founder, in a statement said George "deceptively and recklessly" allowed a convicted predator priest to work for the Chicago archdiocese, violating the church's national sex abuse policy. SNAP was referring to Rev. Kenneth J. Martin, who pleaded guilty to molesting a teenage boy in 2001. He currently works as an "off-site liturgy consultant". In 2006, SNAP asked George to resign as the head of the Chicago archdiocese for allegedly "mishandling" sex abuse accusations against convicted and defrocked priest Daniel McCormack. SNAP said George's actions are "irresponsible" and "inexcusable" on at least six priests accused or charged with sex abuse.
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