Statement of Road to Recovery, Inc. Regarding the Guilty Verdict against Monsignor William Lynn of Philadelphia

Voice from the Desert
June 23, 2012

http://reform-network.net/?p=17100

Road to Recovery, Inc., the only non-profit charity in the United States that provides direct services of many kinds to clergy abuse survivors, stands with all victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as they absorb the news that Monsignor William Lynn has been found guilty of child endangerment. This verdict would not have been possible had brave victims not come forward to report sexual abuse to law enforcement.

District Attorney Seth Williams is to be thanked and congratulated for holding Msgr. Lynn and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia accountable for endangering the welfare of children. The Prosecution team, led by Assistant District Attorney Pat Blessington, was valiant in their presentation of a case that sent a message from Philadelphia all the way to the Vatican. Perhaps a cleansing of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, a necessary development, will now take place.

It is clear that indictments and convictions of Church officials could be entered in every diocese in the country. For too long, victims and their advocates have attempted to hold their abusers and enablers accountable, only to be dismissed and vilified by Church officials. The jury of peers in Philadelphia has sent a message to all citizens of the USA that the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse by the Catholic Church is over, will not be tolerated by law enforcement officials, and criminal charges will be filed against perpetrators and those who assign and protect them.

We encourage prosecutors throughout the country to file similar charges in their jurisdictions so that the truth of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up in the Roman Catholic Church may be exposed.

To the brave victims of clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: congratulations and stay strong!

Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D.

Co-founder and President

Road to Recovery, Inc.

Livingston, NJ 07039

862-368-2800

Contact: roberthoatson@gmail.com