Int - the Three Papal Candidates SNAP Is Most Worried about

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
February 12, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/int_the_three_papal_candidates_snap_is_most_worried_about

Among the papal candidates, we are most worried about Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez of Honduras, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the USA.

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras

He has accused much of the U.S. media of being anti-Catholic and claimed that the major networks and newspapers "made themselves protagonists of what I do not hesitate to define as a persecution of the church."

He also opposed proposals that local bishops turn all allegations of clerical sexual abuse over to civil authorities for investigation and possible prosecution.

"I would be willing to go to jail before harming one of my priests -- I am not a policeman," he said. "I am a priest, a bishop."

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2004_01_06/2004_06_21_Case_CardinalOffered.htm

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Mexico City

He has blamed the media for “attacks on the church” in regards to over-reporting on sex abuse claims.

http://www.natcath.org/crisis/071902g.htm

In that same interview, he claimed that there are no “documented” cases of abuse against minors in Mexico.

He also repeatedly minimized and concealed the widely reported multiple child sex abuse allegations involving Fr. Nicholas Aguilar Rivera who is from Mexico, worked in the Los Angeles archdiocese and whose current whereabouts are unknown.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the USA

Our concerns about this savvy but reckless prelate are detailed here:

http://www.snapnetwork.org/victims_deplore_high_profile_role_for_controversial_cardinal_dolan

It’s important to keep in mind that we are a support group, not a research organization. We don’t claim to have any “inside information” about the papal candidates or selection process.

What we do have is a burning desire to safeguard innocent children and vulnerable adults in the church, and to do whatever we possibly can to protect others. And we have 25 years of experience in watching and dealing with Catholic officials in child sex abuse and cover up cases across the globe.

So we acknowledge that we know almost nothing about how these papal candidates have dealt with clergy sex crimes and cover ups: Cardinal Peter Turkson, Cardinal Peter Erd, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.

But based on what we know about the other three candidates mentioned above, again, we are most troubled by the possibility that Rivera, Rodriguez or Dolan might be elevated.