Pa - SNAP Blasts Chaput's Assertions about Media Bias

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
October 1, 2012

http://www.snapnetwork.org/pa_snap_blasts_chaput_s_assertions_about_media_bias

It is distressing that the man who has been heading the scandal-plagued Archdiocese of Philadelphia for over a year now still seems unwilling to recognize the depth of the clergy sex abuse epidemic. By blaming reports of abuse on "media bias," Archbishop Chaput only makes himself appear silly, especially given that his archdiocese has suspended numerous priests this year and was the home of the first ever Catholic official, Msgr. William Lynn, convicted of a felony for covering up sex abuse.

Instead of blaming the problem on the media, Chaput should look inward at the way he and his predecessors have dealt with child predators. Even today, church officials continue to endanger kids by failing to take proper steps with child predators. Recent situations in Joliet, IL and Fall River, MA indicate that this is not a problem in one or two dioceses, but persists across the country.

We think that Archbishop Chaput should stop blaming the media, but rather blame his brother bishops who hide behind policies that they tout in their own press releases but fail to actually follow when it matters. Instead of whining about bias, Chaput should take a serious look at how every abuse allegation is handled, and in the future should allow secular authorities to verify the claims instead of secretive internal processes.

There are many things that Chaput can lament, but media bias is not one of them.