Victim Group Says New Pope Must Protect Children from Abuse

By Lydia Mulvany
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
February 11, 2013

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/victim-group-says-new-pope-must-protect-children-from-abuse-c38o4ec-190730231.html

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a Chicago-based nonprofit that has helped victims in Milwaukee, said Monday that the Catholic Church must elect a new pope that protects children from clergy sexual abuse after Pope Benedict XVI resigns.

"For the Church to truly embody the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ, it must be led by a pontiff who demands transparency, exposes child-molesting clerics, punishes wrongdoers and enablers, cooperates with law enforcement, and makes true amends to those who were hurt so greatly by Catholic priests, employees and volunteers," said Barbara Blaine, president of SNAP, in a release.

Blaine said that the era of secrecy and coverups must end, and that victims of sexual abuse want to ensure that other children never experience what they did.

SNAP, which has more than 12,000 members, is the largest support group for clergy abuse victims. Victims include those who were molested by religious leaders in all denominations, including priests, nuns, rabbis and Protestant ministers.

Pope Benedict XVI said he was resigning Monday due to health issues, the first pope to do so in six centuries.