The most powerful religious figure on the planet speaks of "decisive action."But he refuses to take any.
In just one nation, tens of thousands of children have been sexually assaulted by trusted priests.
Bishops concealed the crimes, sometimes for decades.
But the Pope responds by promising to send a few of his staff there to visit some places and ask some questions.
While millions are in pain, the Pope can barely bring himself to admit that some bishops in one nation have made some unspecified "errors in judgment."
Here's the Vatican's essential message: Apparently not one wrongdoer will even get a papal 'slap on the hand.' Not one more predator will apparently be ousted. Not one more horrific secret cover up will apparently ever see the light of day. And not one victim will apparently see any tangible help whatsoever.
The bottom line: Across the globe, hundreds of thousands of girls and boys have been sexually violated by child molesting Catholic clergy. The man who could pay for therapy refuses.
Thousands of the predators continue to walk free among unsuspecting parents, families, neighbors and employers. The man who could warn them won't.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of predators are still in church jobs. But the man who could oust them won't.
Thousands of complicit church colleagues are still on the church payroll. But the man who could discipline them won't.
We're reminded of the Biblical passage about "What parent would give their child a stone when he asks for bread."
Again, the Pope offers words when action is so desperately needed. The Pope keeps permitting needless risk where real prevention is needed. The Pope sanctions secrecy where real truth is needed. And the Pope ignores agonizing suffering where real healing - not just words - is needed.
US clergy sex abuse victims head to Europe
Catholic scandal there is spreading across the continent
Hundreds of victims are coming forward in six countries
SNAP wants state probe of child sex crimes & cover ups in dioceses
Chicago woman to start confidential support group for German victims
Two US women who head the world’s largest & most highly visible support group for clergy sex abuse victims are going to Europe today to offer help to adults who were sexually assaulted by Catholic priests, nuns, seminarians, brothers and bishops.
Two US men who were molested as kids by priests are leaving for Europe soon.
All four are leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org).
The women are flying to Munich Germany today to start a chapter of their self-help organization in that country and hold a news conference.
They will also visit at least two or three countries on the continent.
The SNAP officials are expected to
-- harshly criticize Vatican officials for refusing, even now, to take decisive action to protect kids from predator priest, and
-- urge secular authorities – in Germany and elsewhere - to launch independent investigations into clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Europe’s Catholic dioceses (like the Irish government has done in that country).
They will also
-- express their concern for vulnerable children and wounded adults on the continent, and
-- beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffer clergy sex crimes to speak up, call police, get help, expose predators, protect others and start healing.
“No institution can effectively police or reform itself, especially not an ancient, rigid, secretive, all-male monarchy like the Catholic hierarchy with its deeply-rooted and long-standing practice of concealing clergy sex crimes,” said Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP’s founder and president.
“So it’s crucial that secular authorities promptly begin thorough investigations into the church’s on-going scandal, so that the truth can be revealed, the wrong-doers disciplined, the victims healed and the vulnerable protected.”
“Children are best safeguarded when victims, witnesses and whistleblowers find the courage to speak up and call law enforcement,” said Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP’s outreach director.
“And victims heal best when they break their silence, name their abuser, and get help from independent sources like therapists and self-help groups.”
SNAP is sorely disappointed in the Pope’s recent letter to Ireland, especially because despite the widespread sexual victimization of kids in that country, the pontiff still refuses to take decisive actions to ameliorate the crisis.
Later in the week, two SNAP leaders from Wisconsin are heading to Rome.
They are Peter Isely, SNAP’s long time Midwest Director, and John Pilmaier, SNAP’s Milwaukee Director.
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