UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )
Today, Archbishop André-Joseph Leonard of Brussels is obligated to submit his resignation to Pope Francis. We hope he does so immediately and we hope Pope Francis accepts it immediately.
Last month, a court ordered Archbishop Leonard to pay €10,000 in damages to a child sex abuse victim, ruling that the Catholic official was responsible for a failure to act on abuse reports.
There is no reason for delay. Catholics in Brussels deserve a prelate who takes children’s safety more seriously than Archbishop Leonard has. Parents, police, prosecutors and parishioners would be reassured to see the pontiff replace Leonard quickly.
And Pope Francis should also publicly denounce Leonard. That’s what will make kids safer: when top Catholic officials find the courage to clearly, strongly and publicly criticize their colleagues who endanger children and protect predators.
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