Vt- Pedophile Priest Trial to Start; SNAP Responds

By David Clohessy
SNAP
January 4, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/vt_pedophile_priest_trial_to_start_snap_responds

Almost every single clergy sex abuse and cover up trial surfaces more damning information about the complicity of top church officials. So we are grateful this brave victim is seeking justice in court. We hope that Vermont citizens will pay close attention to the proceedings and that Vermont Catholics will ask tough questions of their church hierarchy.

Many would like to believe that this crisis is over. It’s not. Church staffers still often ignore, minimize and conceal child sex crimes by clergy. Well-meaning church employees still often report suspicions to bishops and priests, not to police and prosecutors. And known or potential child molesting clerics are still quietly shuffled around (see story today in Philadelphia Inquirer).

So it’s crucial, if kids are to be safer and if victims are to be healed, that people should speak up with any knowledge or suspicions of clergy sex crimes and cover ups. Silence helps perpetuate wrongdoing. But stepping forward helps protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.

To read the story,