Rick Santorum claimed yesterday on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that in July 2002, when he wrote the article that has recently resurfaced, calling Boston the "liberal" seat of church abuse, he did not know that there were similar cases in PA. In my
earlier post on this today, I noted that George Stephanopoulos called him on that statement.
Since my earlier post on this, I have received numerous newspaper articles from an anonymous source, dating back to March 2002 that all make reference to church abuse cases in PA. The most interesting article was from July 12, 2002 - Capitol Hill Pastor Faces Child Sex Case.
The pastor of a historic Capitol Hill parish that serves many Roman Catholic members of Congress was placed on leave yesterday after a Washington area man accused him of sexual abuse in the early 1970s, the second such allegation against the priest.
The last paragraph of the article notes that among the church's parishioners included "Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Rick Santorum (R-Pa.)."
It's absolutely despicable that Rick Santorum is playing politics with with the victims of these cases. If this is some sort of marketing ploy to sell his new book to conservatives it's a sick joke aimed towards those who have suffered. No man with any sense of moral dignity, would continue pushing this issue as Santorum has.
It's time for Rick Santorum to step up to the plate and do the right thing, as it is he who dredged up these painful memories and put them back in the limelight. Instead of working to help heal the victims of church abuse Santorum has perpetuated the ugliest of rumors and lies in the name of politics and marketing.
On July 21st, Santorum met with the leaders of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), and made promises "to find out why the U.S. Justice Department has taken no action to investigate the Catholic Church's secret transport of pedophile priests across state lines and international boundaries via church operated "treatment" and "retreat" facilities. "
SNAP issued a press release today regarding Santorum's latest outburst yesterday and queried as to when they could expect a response from Santorum. Read the press release here.
A March 3, 2002, NY Times article shows that the Vatican was aware of the full scope of the abuse problem. Yet, Rick Santorum, a self purported good Catholic claimed not to have know of any where in the country outside of MA that was stricken by the issue. Sorry, but such denial doesn't wash.
A March 5th, NY Times article states that "several dioceses, including New Hampshire's and Philadelphia's, immediately suspended any priests ever accused of abusing children."
It's time for Rick Santorum to stop trying to score cheap political points and sell his book on the back of children who have been victims of sexual abuse. Such pandering is the lowest of low.
Cross posted from TheDemocraticDaily.