More Vatican Governance Promises That Ignore the Church’s Central Crisis

SNAP
November 26, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/vatican_more_vatican_governance_promises_that_ignore_the_church_s_central_crisis

[Telegraph]

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

Today, there are more headlines from the Vatican about self-governance. But there’s still no action from the Vatican on clergy abuse.

It’s more minimal tinkering around the edges instead of directly confronting the most devastating scandal in the church: widespread and horrific crimes against kids being concealed and enabled by bishops.

Most neutral observers would admit that the central crisis that has roiled the Catholic church and continues to roil the Catholic church is violence against kids by clerics and cover ups of that violence by bishops. Eight months into the papacy of Pope Francis has brought absolutely no progress on the scandal that most hurts Catholics at the bottom, and ironically, also at the top of the church hierarchy.

Pope Francis can ride all the buses and carry all the suitcases and make all the gestures and write all the letters he wants. But until he disciplines his corrupt colleagues and underlings who protect their reputations instead of their flocks, no meaningful reform will happen.

To some, our plea may seem self-absorbed. To more, however, our plea will resonate: Pope Francis, please turn your attention, and your willingness to depart from hurtful patterns of the past and present, away from secondary issues like the governing of the Vatican to the primary issue: the protection of the vulnerable.

Contact - David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com

Barbara Dorris 314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com

Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com