Protesters held signs and childhood photos in a demonstration at the Seattle archdiocese headquarters on Monday.
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests said they want documents detailing what they say is years of abusive clergy and staffers. The organizer of the protest said the church simply naming 77 accused abusers in January “might be like washing their hands, but they have yet to wash their whole body.”
The Archdiocese of Seattle released a list of clergy child sex abusers in <a href="http://www.kiro7.com/news/names-child-sex-abusers-among-seattle-clergy-relea/40014968">January</a>. It listed dozens of people who served from 1923 to 2008: 30 archdiocesans, 16 religious priests, 14 religious brothers, one religious sister, two deacons and 14 priests from other dioceses.
See below for map of churches, schools and hospitals in Washington where child sex abusers, serving as priests, worked on assignment. Read the list here.
Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain apologized on behalf of those who abused minors in a news release after the list was released.
“I will continue to pray for all survivors of sexual abuse, and deeply regret that vulnerable individuals in the church’s care have been harmed,” Sartain wrote.
In a news release to KIRO 7 about Monday’s planned protest, SNAP said it wants Sartain to add four more priests to his list. The group also believes that abusive nuns, seminarians and lay staff should be added.
SNAP is also protested in hopes that local law enforcement or the state attorney general will investigate the archdiocese with a focus on pursuing what the group calls "enablers." SNAP said those are current or former church staff who may have destroyed evidence, obstructed justice, intimidated victims, threatened whistleblowers or refused to report known or suspected abuse to police.
The protesters gathered on the sidewalk outside the Seattle Catholic archdiocesan headquarters at 710 Ninth Ave. near Cherry Street in downtown Seattle.
SNAP also protested in hopes Seattle police or the state attorney general will investigate the archdiocese with a focus on pursuing what the group calls "enablers." SNAP said those are current or former church staff who may have destroyed evidence, obstructed justice, intimidated victims, threatened whistleblowers or refused to report known or suspected abuse to police.
SNAP sent the AG’s office and the Seattle police a copy of 2011 court documents that show there are letters and other correspondence about the abuse that have yet to be disclosed.
The protesters gathered on the sidewalk outside the Seattle Catholic archdiocesan headquarters at 710 Ninth Ave. near Cherry Street in downtown Seattle.
Cox Media Group
