Dioceses in Two States in Last Two Months Have Done This

They Also Want Michigan Bishops To Look For Predators

Head of Grand Rapids Diocese Claims He Just “Found” Abuser’s Admission

So A Known Pedophile Priest Stayed In Ministry Until Just Last Month

SNAP Says Church Officials Across the State Should “Comb Thru Files”

WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy molestation victims will strongly urge Michigan Catholic officials to:
-- Identify predators who have been credibly accused ,
-- Comb through records to determine if any have slipped through the cracks, and
-- reach out to anyone hurt by a the recently-removed Grand Rapids priest.

WHEN
Monday, January 29, at 11:15 a.m.

WHO
Two-three clergy sex abuse victims and supporters who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including a Chicago woman who is the organization’s founder and president

WHERE
Outside the archdiocesan chancery office, 1234 Washington Blvd. in Detroit

WHY
On Saturday, Maine’s Catholic bishop became the 15th in the US to voluntarily disclose the names of proven, admitted and credibly accused pedophile priests in his diocese. (Delaware’s bishop did likewise in December.) For the sake of public safety, victims and advocates want Michigan’s seven Catholic bishops to also release predators’ names and whereabouts.

They’re also asking Michigan church officials to quickly but carefully go through personnel files looking for other credibly accused abusive employees. Earlier this month, Grand Rapids Bishop Walter Hurley (a long time ex-Detroit archdiocesan leader) suspended Fr. David LeBlanc, who admitted in 1993 that he’d molested a boy. Hurley claims he just recently ‘found’ LeBlanc’s admission while going through files.

SNAP finds this explanation implausible but, to be safe, wants all Michigan bishops to do likewise.

According to Catholic tradition, practice, and canon law, Detroit’s Cardinal Maida has some influence over all seven Michigan bishops. SNAP feels it’s crucial that he take the lead in making Michigan kids safer by disclosing more about the church’s on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis.

http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=5914148&nav=0RbQ
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070110/NEWS06/70110032/0/BUSINESS03

CONTACT:
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314 645 5915, 314 566 9790 cell
Barbara Dorris Outreach Director, SNAP, 314 862 7688