In Doubt: Motivations of Groups Advocating Rights of Victims of Abuse of Priests, by Martin Barillas, Spero News, August 22, 2011

In Doubt: Motivations of Groups Advocating Rights of Victims of Abuse of Priests

By Martin Barillas
Spero News
August 22, 2011

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=134&id=59032&t=In+Doubt%3A+Motivations+of+groups+advocating+rights+of+victims+of+abuse+of+priests

According to the Catholic League, a New York City-based human rights and advocacy group, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) held a conference in Washington, D.C. in July that was open to the public. In a news release, the organization said that its sources at the conference provided material that are the basis of a report drafted by CL president William Donohue "SNAP EXPOSED: Unmasking the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests."

Donohue said, "This report puts an end to the debate over the real motives of those involved in the victims' lobby. SNAP, along with BishopAccountability and the lawyers they work with, are an agenda-driven movement that uses victims, real and alleged, to smear and sunder the best interests of the Catholic Church. Not only do they entertain conspiracy theories that are themselves disturbing, they are not above lying about some bishops. Moreover, the way they intentionally seek to manipulate the media is utterly shameless. It's all in the report—SNAP has finally been unmasked.

An excerpt of the report prepared by Donohue takes SNAP to task for creating a climate of distrust and prejudice against Catholic priests as whole:

Over the past decade, Catholics have been rocked by revelations of priestly abuse. Bad judgments were made; cover-ups took place; and inexcusable conduct was tolerated. Much of the criticism has been constructive, and to that extent, welcomed. But some has been malicious. There is a profound difference between reasoned criticism and irrational assaults on the Catholic Church. What happened at the SNAP event clearly fell in the latter category.

Catholics understand the anger that many have about the way things were handled in some dioceses. When anger becomes a pattern, however, it can consume. Indeed, it can blur one's vision, leading to irrational and wholly indefensible accusations. This is precisely what has happened to SNAP, and to its allies. Logic, reason and evidence no longer matter: what matters is payback. Make no mistake about it; SNAP has decided to wage war on the Catholic Church.

There are many good reasons why the proceedings of the SNAP conference should concern Catholics, but none is more salient than the precarious state of due process rights for priests. A hostile climate is evident in many parts of the country, so much so that prosecutors, judges and juries are not inclined to see accused priests as innocent. This is due, in no small way, to the pressure being applied by professional victims' groups and their sister organizations, as well as their allies in law and the media. It does not exaggerate to say that there is a vested ideological and economic interest in putting the worst possible face on the Catholic Church these days. This conference being Exhibit A.