GERMANY
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, Aug. 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com, SNAPclohessy@aol.com)
German Catholics, who were deceived and exploited by a selfish bishop, are apparently being rebuffed by Pope Francis in their effort to seek justice. It’s the same old pattern: corrupt Catholic officials are given “mercy” while their victims are given nothing.
Bild reports that Germany’s “bling bishop” – Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst – may get off without paying damages to his diocese for his excessive spending on his 31.3 million-euro home and misleading parishioners and the public about it. We’re saddened but not surprised.
Pope Francis can keep gradually changing church finances, governance and morale. But until he finds the courage to harshly discipline reckless, selfish and deceptive bishops, he won’t change the damaging clerical culture of the church. And clergy crimes and misdeeds – financial and sexual – will continue.
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