SNAP Dissatisfied with Pope on Abuse Crisis

By Fred Bodimer
CBS St. Louis
September 24, 2015

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2015/09/24/snap-dissatisfied-with-pope-on-abuse-crisis/

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis speaks during2 the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. Junipero Serra was an 18th century Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja, California to bring Christianity to the indigenous population. This is the first-ever canonization by a Pope on U.S. soil. Pope Francis is on a multi-city tour on his first visit to the U.S. as Pope. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Local clergy abuse survivors aren’t happy with what they are hearing from Pope Francis so far during his visit to the United States.

In remarks to America’s Bishops, Pope Francis commended what he called their courage in the face of the church’s sexual abuse scandal. Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests’ (SNAP) National Director David Clohessey says that bishops have made no sacrifices.

“He essentially made one oblique reference to the crisis…didn’t apologize,” says SNAP’s National Director David Clohessy. “More importantly, didn’t suggest much less mandate, any reforms at all by the U.S. church hierarchy.”

Clohessy says the Pope is minimizing the crisis and won’t use the word cover-up. He adds instead of praising victims for coming forward, the Pope praises the bishops, which he (Clohessy) says have continued to cause the issue.

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