Call to Action Statement on European Catholic Church Sexual Abuse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2010
Media Contact:
Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director, O: 773.404.0004 x262
Nicole Sotelo, Call To Action, O: 773.404.0004 x285

Call To Action Statement on European Catholic Church Sexual Abuse

This weekend, reports in Germany alleged that Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, harbored a pedophile priest in the Archdiocese of Munich, Germany. From Ireland to Switzerland, survivors are coming forward with allegations against church officials and dioceses are being forced to make public statements about their knowledge of the abuse that has been kept secret for decades. Call To Action joins SNAP, the Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests, in calling on European governments to initiate investigations into the allegations in order to uncover the abuse that has remained hushed for decades and may have been known by the highest level of officials in the Roman Catholic Church.
Call To Action stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse in Europe who have suffered at the hands of Roman Catholic clergy, women religious and other ministerial leaders. Our prayers go out to them, their families and friends. May those who remain silent know that they are not alone and have the courage to come forward with their stories.
In this season of Lent and renewal, we recommit ourselves to ensuring Roman Catholicism is just and accountable so that our churches may become true sanctuaries for all God's people.
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Call To Action (CTA) is a Catholic movement working for equality and justice in the Church and society. An independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 53 local chapters, CTA believes that the Spirit of God is at work in the whole church, not just its appointed leaders. Visit our website at www.cta-usa.org.