Catholic Bishop Appeals to MO Supreme Court

SNAP
January 13, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_catholic_bishop_appeals_to_mo_supreme_court

After months of delay and adverse rulings from two courts, lawyers for St. Louis Catholic Archbishop Robert Carlson have filed an emergency writ with the Missouri Supreme Court seeking to block the disclosure of the names of 115 archdiocesan employees who have been accused of sexually assaulting children.

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is deploring Carlson’s move.

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are urging “anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in St. Louis to step forward now, regardless of what the courts do or don’t do.”

“Even if the state’s highest court sides with the young victim and against Carlson, these names will be kept under seal, so it’s likely that the disclosure won’t protect any kids, at least not in the short term,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “Any adult with any compassion whatsoever will do what he or she can to stop the abuse of kids, instead of waiting for other victims, witnesses, whistleblowers or secular officials to act.”

“This case – Jane Doe v. Fr. Joseph D. Ross and the St. Louis archdiocese – is set for trial next month,” said Judy Jones of SNAP. “Carlson is giving this brave young woman and her attorney little time to really prepare their case. And he’s trying to intimidate other victims in to keeping silent by showing them ‘If you seek justice against us, we’ll fight tooth and nail.’“