SAN DIEGO SNAP CHAPTER STATEMENT TO LOCAL SURVIVORS OF ABUSE

The revised charter mandated by the Vatican and agreed upon by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops ensures that the future saftey and protection of Catholic children from priestly predators in addition to justice for those injured will rest in the very hands of the same men and power structure that created and enabled the tragedy in the first place.

Present and future victims of clerical molestation and rape can look forward to being further traumatized as they negotiate their way through a maze of eccesiastical secrecy in coming forward; investigations and tribumal trials. 

The concerned and involved Catholic laity will have no voice in authority; nor have the power to dictate, effect, or in any way guarantee meangingful change. They can only make "recommendations" to ears that are arguably still deaf in so many ways.

The Vatican has decided that while the virtue and practice of forgiveness is eternal, justice and accountability is conditional. They have not only reserved the right to define both but, have have placed the restriction of time on them. Additionally, ecclesiastical "justice" will be decided and dispensed by the very men who failed to protect and defend the helpless and broke trust with them and the faithful at large in the first place.

The canon laws of the Church will ensure that the offender receives the fullest protection and refuge possible and a limited consideration for the victim. This "justice" as with related functions such as investigations, will be conducted in secret.

This time one year ago, these very Bishops were still denying that the Church had any significant problem with clergy sexual abuse. These very Bishops, including Bishop Robert Brom of San Diego were working overtime to silence victims of abuse and contain and conceal any public exposure of these cases and the reality and history of clergy abuse in their respective dioceses "for the good of the Church". That policy of " contain and conceal" 

continues.

Even now the Catholic Diocese of San Diego is working dillegently to contain and conceal active and ongoing allegations and complaints of clergy abuse/misconduct. Cases deserving of civil litigation are being referred to mediation in order to prevent such litigation and avoid public exposure.

A strict "legalistic" approach is being taken in order to avoid or minimize the criminal prosectution of priestly offenders and pedophiles. Past crimes commited against children who are now adults are not being reported to civil authorities nor are adult survivors encouraged to do so.

Civil cases which appear headed for litigation are being compromised as employees and agents of the Church attempt to contact victims of abuse in order to obtain information from the victim without the knowledge of victim's attorney and under the guise of "pastoral concern".

Past offenders who were dismissed from the clerical state or employment for such crimes and offenses still live among us in our communities; unknown and unidentified. There has been no public disclosure of the true extent of past abuse cases to include the number of victims or the identity of the offenders. 

Such disclosure is vital in order to provide validation to those victims who still suffer in silence and by doing so, empower them to come forward. It is imperative that such a disclosure occur if the "slate is to be wiped clean" and any trust and confidence be restored in a leadership that has engaged in so much past betrayal.

The local Bishop, Robert H. Brom has been appointed to oversee the accountabilty of his peers although he has yet to be accountable himself on the issues cited as well as his own personal past. It is believed with complete confidence, that his appointment to such a committee was done in order to promote and create a credibility that hardly exists and by doing so, discourage any further investigation into his past conduct in abuse issues.

Fortunately, the victims and survivors of clergy abuse in San Diego and California are not without remedy. Unlike many other states, new laws are in place which allow for the prosecution for abuse crimes against minors, regardless of when they occured.

Changes in civil law take effect in the new year which will give the children victims of the past a "one year window" to seek and obtain redress for injuries from clergy abuse; regardless of how long ago it occured. Additionally, the statute of limitations for future cases have been extended.

It is hoped that victims and survivors of clergy sexual abuse will take full advantage of the civil remedies available to them. To do so gives the victim a greater chance that they may achieve and obtain some degree of relief and a measure of accountabilty.

The message is still the same. 

Under No circumstances can it be recommended that a victim/survivor of abuse approach the Catholic Diocese over their abuse and victimization. If a victim/survivor feels they must make that attempt, under NO circumstances go alone. Take a qualified legal advocate with you !!

A victim of clergy sexual abuse cannot look to their Church for relief and remedy with any meaningful degree of confidence and hope. The recent events and conclusions reached by the Catholic hierarchy only confirms what we victim/survivors have known for far too long. 

The Church will always place its' own interests above any other; including the true and genuine protection and safety of children and accountabilty and justice for survivors of abuse.
 
 
 
 

Local Contact:
858-486-8525 ext. 117
e-mail:surviorsnetwork@sandiegosnap.org
Web site -- http://www.sandiegosnap.org