Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, speculation is focusing on who will take his place. Now, according to CNN, a group representing victims of clergy sex abuse have come up a list of cardinals that it believes would be the worst papal candidates in light of how they handled claims of child sex abuse in the past.
Included on this “Dirty Dozen” list are three US cardinals: Timothy Dolan of NY, Donald Wuerl of DC, and Sean O’Malley of Massachusetts. While some of the 12 cardinals were named because of they way they allegedly covered up sex abuse incidents, others were included because of public comments they made about the clergy abuse debacle.
The group seeking to blacklist these men is called the Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests. SNAP also wants some of the older cardinals to not take part in the meetings that have been scheduled before the new pope is elected because the organization feels that some of these men actively protected priests that were accused of molesting kids.
Unfortunately, kids are easy targets for adult molesters, who may choose to abuse their authority over someone in this way. You should know that in addition to rape and sexual assault, sex abuse can come in many forms, including inappropriate or unwanted touching, making someone watch pornography or a live sexual act, or sexualizing a child in other ways.
Our Boston sex abuse lawyers represent children and adults that have been the victim of clergy sex abuse. Sexual abuse is very insidious and can led to a lifetime of emotional trauma and pain, impeding someone’s ability to lead a healthy, normal, and productive life. Even if you are no longer a child and the abuse happened a while ago, you still may be able to file a Massachusetts personal injury lawsuit against your abuser and/or the church leadership.
Related Web Resources:
Pope Benedict Resigns: Next Steps to Conclave, ABC News, March 1, 2013
Abuse in the Catholic Church, The Boston Globe
Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests
Priest abuse victims’ group blacklists 12 cardinals for pope, CNN, March 6, 2013
More Blog Posts:
Beverly, Massachusetts Sexual Abuse Allegations Continue Against Landmark School, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 16, 2013
$500,000 Massachusetts Clergy Abuse Settlement Reached Between Former Williamstown Altar Boy and Two Ex-Springfield Roman Catholic Bishops, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, July 29, 2012
Man Sues City of Waltham for Massachusetts Child Sex Abuse Allegedly Committed by Former Assistant High School Football Coach, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 19, 2011