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SNAP reacts to Archdiocese announcement
SNAP reacts to Archdiocese announcement
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced on Wednesday, April 3rd on its website and via Archbishop Jerome Listecki's blog -- it WILL release thousands of pages of documents detailing clergy sexual abuse in the Milwaukee Archdiocese as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. SNAP, the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests has asked that these documents be unsealed and released to the public.
The Archdiocese made its announcement on Wednesday, April 3rd -- the day before the matter was to be decided in bankruptcy court. The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2011 to deal with sex abuse claims. Lawyers representing the men and women who filed the claims had been seeking the documents' release.
SNAP has said this is a historic turn of events -- but says it is still not satisfied. The organization says there is more to the story that still needs to be told.
SNAP Director Peter Isely says after fighting the release of these documents for two years in bankruptcy court, the Milwaukee Archdiocese has finally agreed to release thousands of documents related to alleged sex offender priests.
"This is a sudden and dramatic shift," Isely said.
Behind Isely on Thursday, April 4th stood abuse survivors, holding pictures of themselves and other children at the age of their abuse.
Though the release of these document is historic, Isely says it is only half of the story. The documents are only from diocesan priests -- not the accused priests belonging to other religious orders, like the Jesuits or Salvatorians.
"When you talk about half the glass, that might be okay when you talk about some things, but it`s not acceptable when it comes to child molesters," Isely said.
The Milwaukee Archdiocese says it is releasing all it has, and says it believes the documents will shine a light on what the church did well.
"In the provision of therapy and counseling, care and pastoral outreach to those who came forward is present in some of these documents," an Archdiocese spokesperson told FOX6 News.
For survivors, this is clearly progress, but Isely promises they aren't done yet.
"We are halfway to the goal," Isely said.
The deadline for the release of these documents is July 1st.