Advocacy Group Says Providence Catholic Diocese Still Hiding Names of "Predator Priests"

By Karen Lee Ziner
Providence Journal
June 10, 2016

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20160610/NEWS/160619951#loadComment

Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) accused Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Thomas J. Tobin of "keeping hidden" the names of "at least 95 accused predator priests in Rhode Island."

At a news conference outside the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, they demanded that Tobin "publicly reveal the names of all accused abusive clerics, and post their names, photos, whereabouts and work histories on his diocesan website."

The group also said that "five predator priests who abused elsewhere also worked in Rhode Island" have remained "under the radar" in the state.

Bishop Tobin was out of the office and not available for comment, said diocesan spokeswoman Carolyn Cronin. The diocese issued a statement:

"There is nothing new in what SNAP is requesting today. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has a consistent policy and practice of reporting every allegation of clergy sex abuse of minors to law enforcement. The diocese is not aware of any priests currently in ministry who have credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors against them."

The SNAP group asked anyone "who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover-ups to call secular authorities, not church staff" in order to protect children and expose wrongdoers.

The diocese asked that anyone with such information contact state police, the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office or local law enforcement.