A group has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate cases of sexual abuse by priests and on Wednesday, a few of those members staged a protest outside the Office of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese.
Members of SNAP, or Surviviors Network of those Abused by Priests, gathered in front of the Youngstown Diocese on Wood Street. They held signs with childhood photos of abuse victims and encouraged former church employees to come forward with information they might have in any abuse case they know about.
"We want Bishop Murry to name all the credibly accused priests, teachers, employees who have worked in this Diocese, and they know who they are, and that are still working in this Diocese. We want them to make those public," said Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest associate director.
On Tuesday, representatives of SNAP filed an 80-plus page formal request asking the International Criminal Court prosecutor to investigate high-level Catholic Church officials for crimes against humanity. The detailed complaint, which is accompanied by 20,000 pages of evidence, charges that the church hierarchy tolerates and continues a widespread, ongoing global practice of concealing rape and abuse.
The organization wants those who saw or suspected such crimes and cover-ups, particularly as church employees, to call police and prosecutors with any information they may have.
The four officials named as defendants in the filing are Pope Benedict XVI (both in his capacity as pontiff and former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a church entity that oversees pedophile priest reports), Cardinal William Levada (current head of the CDF), Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (Vatican Secretary of State) and Cardinal Angelo Sodano (Dean of the College of Cardinals and former Vatican Secretary of State).
The Diocese of Youngstown released a statement saying it has not reviewed the complaint filed by SNAP with the International Criminal Court and is unable to comment about it.
"What we can do is assure the people of Northeastern Ohio that the Diocese of Youngstown responds to every claim brought to our attention and will continue to do so. Our primary concern is the welfare of our children and we are dedicated in this effort. We are deeply sorry for the pain suffered by survivors of abuse due to the actions of some members of the clergy," the statement read.
The diocese said it also urges anyone who may have experienced sexual abuse by a clergy member or others associated with the Church to notify civil authorities and the diocesan victim's assistance coordinator at 330-744-8451.
