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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

European Bishops Urge Victims to Go to the Police/A Step in the Right Direction

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_CHURCH_ABUSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-03-31-11-28-31

European bishops urge victims to go to the police

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- "European bishops are urging clerical sex abuse victims to go to police and are promising more transparency and cooperation with civil authorities in abuse cases.
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<strong>Finally, a step in the right direction. The sins of the Fathers and the coverup by the bishops are now being recognized as crimes against children and youth that should be investigated by civil authoriities. Since 1950, an estimated 280,000 children have been sexually abused by Catholic Clergy according to statistics from the John Jay School of Criminal Justice.
Jesus would weep at the violation of precious children.
Let us offer our support and prayers for all those who have been violated by our clergy. Let us call Catholics to take action to reform our church so that all are accountable including the Pope and Bishops. Let us change the structure of our church from a authoritarian, hierarchy to a collaborative, inclusive, people-empowered community. Let us hold all members of the Catholic family in loving prayer during this global crisis as we open our hearts to the Spirit and pray for the renewal of our beloved church.

Bridget Mary Meehan
sofiabmm@aol.com

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