Judith Miller and SNAP | Photo © Katharine Gilbert
Chicago resident Barbara Blaine, President of SNAP and herself a victim of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest in Toledo, Ohio was present at the February 13th demonstration outside the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in downtown Philadelphia.
About 50 people including victims of clerical abuse, family members and supporters—some holding childhood photos of victims– called on Philadelphia’s Cardinal Justin Rigali demanding that all records subpoenaed by the District Attorney’s Office be turned in. The Archdiocese, according to Blaine, has denied sending records for 4months.
The group also requested that all 37 priests who have allegations against them be removed.
The group handed out a letter they sent to the lay review board to make certain that all dioceses in country follow the policies that were adopted by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002.
SNAP’s President Barbara Blaine said, “ We think the Archdiocese should not be in the business of investigating
Larry DiFranco and Virginia Maksymowicz | Photo © Katharine Gilbert
crimes but rather leave this to the District Attorney.”
Blaine, who claims she was abused by a priest at age 12, said she founded the group because she was “frustrated and hurting” and because “The Church was not helping me to heal.”