WHAT:
After a sidewalk news conference, clergy molestation victims will try to hand deliver a bus ticket, a movie ticket and a letter to Cleveland’s Catholic bishop urging him to:
- stop using parishioners’ donations to block child sex abuse reforms,
- defend his mishandling of priest sex abuse at a legislative committee hearing this week,
- attend a Cleveland showing of a documentary film about clergy sex abuse in Ohio, and
- discipline a Catholic lobbyist in Columbus for making false statements to the news media.
WHEN:
Monday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Outside the Cleveland Catholic headquarters (aka chancery office), 1027 Superior Ave., in Cleveland (216)696-6525, (800)869-6525
WHO:
Two women who were repeatedly molested by an Ohio Catholic priest and employee and who head a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY:
For months, all six Ohio Catholic bishops have quietly but vigorously fought efforts to reform the state’s child sex abuse laws. But at a crucial House Judiciary Committee hearing at the capitol this Thursday, only one bishop - Frederick Campbell of Columbus - plans to testify.
SNAP is challenging all six bishops to either stop opposing this bill or defend their gross mishandling of clergy sex crimes at the upcoming hearing in Columbus. In particular, the group wants Cleveland Bishop Anthony Pilla and Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk to attend. Those two are each former presidents of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and have headed their respective dioceses for nearly 25 years. But SNAP asserts they are afraid to face lawmakers and take questions about their cover ups of clergy sex crimes.
SNAP suspects Campbell was chosen to represent his brother bishops because he is the newest and least experienced of Ohio’s bishops, having led the Columbus diocese for only one year.
SNAP also wants Pilla to attend a local screening of an award-winning documentary called ”Twist of Faith” about clergy sex crimes in the Toledo. It is showing at the Detroit Theatre, 16407 Detroit Rd., Lakewood through Dec. 15th.
SNAP also objects to statements made by Ohio Catholic Conference head said Tim Luckhaupt, executive head of Catholic Conference of Ohio who told the Columbus Dispatch last week that Luckhaupt said “dioceses already list on Web sites and in newspapers the names of (abusive) priests” and "Nobody in the ministry today has a credible allegation against them.” SNAP maintains that both statements are wrong and deceptive and wants bishops to discipline Luckhaupt.
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed the measure in March. House Judiciary Committee Chair John Willamowski of Lima has said he expects his panel will vote on the bill next month.
Catholic officials oppose a provision that would provide a one year “window” during which victims could file civil lawsuits stemming from childhood sex crimes that occurred years earlier. Advocates maintain that such a “window” would make children safer by exposing dangerous predators who have “run out the clock” on possible criminal charges and are still molesting kids today.
In an unusual move, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William Mason and Warren County Prosecutor Rachel A. Hutzel are backing the bill. So too are several child protection groups including the Ohio Coalition Against Sexual Assault (OCASA) and Voice of the Faithful (VOTF).
Similar events are being held today outside diocesan headquarters at 9:30 a.m. in Steubenville, 11:30 a.m. in Youngstown, 1:45 p.m. in Cincinnati, and 3:45 p.m. in Toledo
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs
Similar events are being held today outside diocesan headquarters at 9:30 a.m. in Steubenville, 11:30 a.m. in Youngstown, 1:45 p.m. in Cincinnati, and 3:45 p.m. in Toledo.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article
CONTACT:
Claudia Vercellotti of Toledo, SNAP Toledo Director (419) 350-9234
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President (312) 399-4747 cell
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566-9790 cell
Christy Miller of Cincinnati, SNAP Co-Leader (513) 383-2198 cell |
