Group Calls for All Priest-abuse Documents to Be Released

By Angelica Duria
Fox 6
April 5, 2012

http://fox6now.com/2012/04/05/group-calls-for-all-priest-abuse-documents-to-be-released-2/

[with video]

Local activists want the names of alleged child abusers made public after 100 new sex offenders were identified in court documents. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, will be asking federal judge Susan Kelley Thrusday to release testimony made by former Archbishop Rembert Weakland and his Chief Deputy Bishop Richard Sklaba.

Last month, lawyers for victims of sexual abuse said there were 100 new sex offenders identified in more than 8,000 accounts of sexual abuse (in their claims). This number was well publicized.

Members of SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) along with members of BishopAccountability.com, called those numbers a “personal safety crisis.” The group wants an investigation by the attorney general into who these people are in case there are current members of the Archdiocese identified in court documents. “The people who need to be held responsible have not been held responsible. What you have in these documents are the truth. The gospel tells us the truth shall set us free,” SNAP Midwest President Peter Isely said.

Last month, in Bankruptcy Court, federal judge Susan Kelley said she had not found evidence that people should be concerned about current employees of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. The judge made the comments in court weeks after advocates for sex abuse victims said the Archdiocese faced a personal safety crisis.

The church argues that all of the alleged sex offenders identified are either dead of have been turned into authorities. In court, Judge Kelley agreed with the church, claiming there is no public safety concern.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki further argues that most abuse survivors want their identities protected, so the Archdiocese will do what it can to protect that.

However, SNAP members are not convinced that there is no public safety concern and will be asking federal judge Susan Kelley to release testimony made by former Archbishop Rembert Weakland and his Chief Deputy Bishop Richard Sklaba. The court proceedings are scheduled to begin Thursday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m.