Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik Should Resign, Abuse Survivors Say

PITTSBURGH, PA - A sexual abuse survivors group is calling for the resignation of Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik in the wake of the scathing grand jury report detailing child sexual abuse by priests.

The Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests issued a statement condemning Zubik’s claim that there was no cover-up in the diocese to conceal the sex crimes committed by its priests.

Citing what SNAP says is overwhelming evidence to the contrary, organization spokeswoman Judy Jones said “Catholics should stop donating to Bishop Zubik's diocese until he steps down or takes proven steps that protect kids. Such a boycott may be the best way to cut through the persistent denial of Pittsburgh's church hierarchy.”

The grand jury report identified more than 300 predator priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses, 99 of whom were from Pittsburgh. The report criticized how Zubik handled sexual abuse allegations, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has accused Zubik and his predecessor, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., of covering up the rapes of children by priests.

Both men have denied any cover-up occurred.

Jones urged western Pennsylvania church-goers to donate not directly to the church but to quasi-independent entities like Catholic Charities, which she contended had boars of directors less likely to ignore, hide or enable child sex crimes.

“They should contribute to agencies that won't help these church authorities who value reputation over the safety of children. There needs to be an alternative to keep paying lawyers and public relations people to hide and twist the truth,” Jones said. “If those in church hierarchy can't even admit wrongdoing, they very likely won't stop wrongdoing. They can't even begin to be part of any solution if they refuses to see there's a problem.”

Image via YouTube.

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