BishopAccountability.org
	Catholic Officials & Judge Meet in Secrecy; Abuse Victims Respond By Peter Isely Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests November 4, 2009 http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2009_statements/ 110409_catholic_officials_judge_meet_in_secrecy_abuse_victims_respond.htm Public court proceedings are the best way to protect the innocent and expose the truth. We're appalled that Catholic and court officials would meet behind closed doors. Secrecy only benefits predators and those who shield predators. Let's hope this troubling secrecy won't become a pattern. We aren't lawyers and may not fully understand the intricacies of Chapter 11 proceedings. But we know all too well, from painful personal experience over decades, that the Catholic hierarchy has repeatedly exploited secrecy for self-serving ends while endangering kids in the process. It's easy to become complacent about clergy sex crimes and cover ups, and to assume that since the courts are now involved, the truth will ultimately surface. That's naive. Kids need and adults deserve openness, especially surrounding predator priests and complicit bishops. Only vigilance will preserve openness. There's only one potential silver lining here. Let's hope this ill-advised move will make a dent in the premature complacency some Catholics feel and will prompt others who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes - whether as a victim, witness or whistleblower - to come forward, end secrecy, get help, call police, protect kids, and start healing. (SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been around since 1988 and have more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org) Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter Isely (414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747)
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