Pa - Philly Archbishop Seeks National Post

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
October 22, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/pa_philly_archbishop_seeks_national_post

PA - Philly archbishop seeks national post

Clergy sex abuse victims urge him to withdraw

They want him instead to focus on protecting local kids

Group also urges Chaput to “stop importing predators”

They are still being housed at a church facility in Downingtown

WHAT

Holding signs at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will urge Philly’s top Catholic official to

--drop out of the race for presidency of the US’ bishops organization, and

--stop letting out-of-state predator priests move to Downingtown.

WHEN

Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE

Outside the Philadelphia Catholic Archdiocese headquarters (chancery office), 222 N. 17th in Philadelphia. PA

WHY

Yesterday, candidates for the presidency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops were announced. The head of the Philadelphia archdiocese, Archbishop Charles Chaput, is one of ten prelates in the running. The election will be held next month in Baltimore. http://www.usccb.org/news/2013/13-186.cfm

SNAP opposes this move and is asking Chaput to withdraw his name. The group feels his promotion would “rub even more salt into the already deep and still-fresh wounds of Philly Catholics and abuse victims.” SNAP also thinks Chaput should focus his efforts on “protecting Philly kids, not on burnishing his clerical career.”

SNAP also wants Chaput to stop “importing” of predator priests from elsewhere into the Philly archdiocese. Church officials house them at St. John Vianney Center in Downingtown. (The group will reveal a list of three such out-of-state priests who have been or are at Vianney Center.)

According to BishopAccountability.org, there are 133 publicly accused Philly area child molesting Catholic clerics. Given this fact, SNAP believes that it’s risky for Chaput to let other bishops send their predator priests here. It would be better, SNAP says, if these sex offenders were put in remote, secure, independently run facilities staffed by professionals, not clerics.

Contact: SNAPblaine@gmail.com