Three US clergy sex abuse victims head to Europe

Snapnetwork.org

06/05/2010

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They’ll be in Rome during next week’s “Year of the Priest” gala

Chicago-based group sends trio from California Wisconsin, Missouri

Pope Benedict is expected to apologize for actions of predator priests

But SNAP says “actions, not words, protect kids” and “apologies are meaningless”

Responding to pleas, US victims will spend a week starting self-help groups in several countries

Three US clergy sex abuse victims – from California, Wisconsin and Missouri- are heading to Europe soon to help start support groups for others who were molested by religious figures. The trio is also expected to harshly criticize Pope Benedict and other Vatican officials for what they consider to be the “all talk, no action” response of Catholic officials to the church’s on-going child sex abuse and cover up crisis.

Joelle Casteix of Orange County CA, Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, MO and Peter Isely of Milwaukee WI, will travel to Europe on Sunday and Monday for a nine day trip through several countries. It will begin in Rome the day before a widely-promoted rally capping what the Pope has deemed “The Year of the Priest.” Thousands of priests across the world are expected to attend.

Many Vatican observers have also indicated that the pontiff will apologize again for the misdeeds of pedophile priests. SNAP has repeatedly urged Pope Benedict to take decisive action to “protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded,” rather than “mouthing vague pieties and apologies and promises that in effect do nothing to really safeguard children right now or deter future recklessness, callousness and deceit,” according to Barbara Blaine, SNAP’s founder and president. (312 399 4747 snapblaine@gmail.com)

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