Boston Cardinal Should Act on Soon-to-be-released Predator

SNAP
October 2, 2015

http://www.snapnetwork.org/

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A notorious Boston predator priest will soon walk free and Catholics will learn whether Boston church officials will honor or ignore Pope Francis’ recent promises.

[WCVB]

Just days ago, Pope Francis said that “never again” should clergy sex crimes happen and that church officials will provide "careful oversight to ensure that youth are protected.”

Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley can provide that “careful oversight” but likely won’t. We urge O’Malley to use pulpit announcements, church bulletins and parish websites to beg other victims of Ronald Paquin to speak up and call police. An outreach effort like this could well bring forward others who could prosecute Paquin and keep him behind bars away from kids.

But we doubt O’Malley will do this. It would take real courage. It would require doing more than the bare minimum. Very few bishops have done this: acted like truly compassionate shepherds and taken the initiative to help law enforcement pursue predator priests.

In light of these recent papal pledges - and others – and given Paquin’s dangerous propensities, we challenge O’Malley to take tangible steps to act on Francis’ noble sentiments and potentially help keep Paquin away from children.

Recently, Francis talked tough on abuse. Let’s see if O’Malley was listening.