By Barbara Blaine

As three SNAP leaders from the US are beginning their journeys to Rome (and other cities in Europe) SNAP folks in Chicago held an event to spread the message. Seven of us met in front of the Cathedral and passed out flyers as parishioners were leaving mass. (The seven included: Therese Albrecht, Rick Springer, Matt McCormick, Carolyn and Terry Lemle, Diane Dugard and  myself.)

The goal was to prepare for the papal apology expected to come later this week. We asked everyone to “ignore the apology, insist on the action.”

Many sources have indicated that sometime this week, as the Pope and thousands of priests from across the globe hold a celebration to close the “Year of priests” the Pope will issue an apology for the abuse by priests. SNAP wants the Pope to “end the excuse-making & blame-shifting.” We urge Pope Benedict to take action that will help protect kids now.

We asked parishioners to:

–ignore the upcoming papal apology about pedophile priests,

–insist on real reform, especially an external investigation and monitoring of sex cases, and

– ask the Pope to disclose the names of all predator priests worldwide.

We also urged secular authorities across – Europe and North America – to

—launch independent investigations into clergy sex crimes and cover ups, as the Irish government has done, and

—eliminate “predator-friendly” statutes of limitations which prevent child sex abuse victims from exposing predator priests and corrupt bishops in court.

Lastly, we asked that the parishioners urge anyone who sees, suspects, or suffers clergy sex crimes to call police officials, not church officials.

WHY?

Many Vatican observers believe that this week, during a large celebration, Pope Benedict will issue another apology for the crimes of pedophile priests.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/28/vatican-pope-apologize-abuse-priests/

But SNAP wants the pontiff to avoid blaming gays, journalists, therapists and allegedly “anti-Catholic” bias for the crisis, and minimizing the scandal by claiming the crimes are “years ago,” the cover ups are “history,” and that abuse is allegedly as common in other institutions.

Instead, the group wants Benedict to squarely place responsibility where SNAP believes it belongs: on reckless, deceitful and callous church officials who have and continue ignoring and concealing sex crimes against children.

And the organization is urging the Pope to take proven steps to safeguard children now. One such step is to publicly list, on diocesan websites across the world, the names and whereabouts of all proven, admitted and credibly accused pedophile priests. (Roughly 24 US dioceses have taken this step, including the Chicago Archdiocese.)

In a letter sent today by fax and e mail to Pope Benedict, SNAP will ask the pontiff to “go beyond mere words, and take real steps to expose, discipline or remove child molesting clerics and complicit church officials immediately.”

We passed out over 200 flyers, held posters with our contact info and childhood photos of victims of abuse by priests. The event was a great success. We were fortunate too, because as soon as we packed up to leave and said our good-byes it started pouring rain. Luckily, the rain held off until we completed our mission.

We send our best regards to those heading to Rome to provide the perspective of victims and are grateful that they are going! We are also both humbled and grateful that so many donated to help raise sufficient funds to send our folks to Europe. We’ll keep posting updates as they travel during these upcoming days! Please check back to keep up-to-date!