Group to protest outside of San Diego church Sunday

By: North County Times wire services - | Saturday, February 24, 2007 6:49 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO - Members of a group critical of the way the Roman Catholic Church is handling sex abuse claims will pass out fliers tomorrow in front of the San Diego diocese's cathedral, a representative said Sunday.

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests will be found outside of St. Joseph's Cathedral, 1535 3rd Ave, according to SNAP officials.

Between three and five sex abuse victims will pass out the fliers urging Bishop Robert Brom to let one child molestation trial set for Wednesday go forward before considering bankruptcy, said Mary Grant, western regional director of SNAP.

"We're urging parishioners for their help," Grant said. "One hundred- fifty victims have been waiting for their day in court. "If the diocese didn't cover up abuse, then why not let the trial go forward?"

Neither the diocese nor a representative from St. Joseph's could be reached for comment Sunday.

The diocese announced last week that it was considering filing for bankruptcy protection rather than paying up to $200 million in claims stemming from lawsuits alleging sex abuse by priests.

Four U.S. Catholic dioceses have sought bankrupcty protection as a result of sexual abuse claims.

More than 150 San Diego lawsuits were filed in 2003 after the state Legislature lifted, for one year, the legal statute of limitations, allowing the cases to go forward.

Brom mentioned the abuse victims in a recent pastoral statement, saying that he was "profoundly sorry for this betrayal of trust in your lives."

SNAP has been highly critical of the announcement, and last week challenged Brom to fully disclose all insurance coverage, property, cash reserves and all other financial resources.

"Until Brom does this, Catholics should disbelieve his claim that the diocese's work may be hurt if child sex victims are fairly compensated," according to a statement released by SNAP.

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American woman wrote on Feb 24, 2007 8:30 PM:How does the Catholic Church survive? Why do parishoners continue to believe in this travesty against Christianity? The Catholic Church has been ducking issues like this for hundreds of years! How do they have any status left, whether it be with individual worshippers or the entire Catholic community! It's time to lower the boom on these monsters! Cardinal Mahony is one of the worst of the lot! He should have been run out of the church on a rail, years ago. Don't give credence to these pretenders.

Jimm wrote on Mar 3, 2007 12:36 PM:It truly is a sickening tragedy. The financial implications are staggering. In the Sacramento area tuitions at Catholic elementary schools have sky-rocketed since this scandal has unfolded thus reducing enrollment levels at the less affluent parishes. The result? Many of these parish schools are now being closed because of "declining attnedance". Gee, I wonder why! Further, the churches from these parishes are being merged into other parishes. The Catholic Church is now becoming 'elitist' as it turns its back on these less-affluent parishes. It is very painful to watch this travesty unfold. Watch for this to play out in parishes throughout the country as the church embraces its new "pay-to-pray" strategy.

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