Catholics Call for Truth and Action in Nationwide Protests this Weekend

Deborah Rose-Milavec, Executive Director, FutureChurch, (mobile) 513-673-1401, (office) 216-228-0869 debrose@futurechurch.orgUS and Rome: Catholics in eight cities nationwide will witness this weekend (September 8, 9, and 10) outside of their local Cathedrals and the Apostolic Nunciature to protest widespread sex abuse in the Church and demand truth and accountability from the Catholic hierarchy complicit in covering up clergy sex abuse.

The campaign, “Time’s Up: Catholics Demand Truth,” is sponsored by nine Catholic reform organizations and calls for: survivor justice and civil recourse; church transparency and accountability; dismantling patriarchy in all its forms; and dismantling clericalism in all its forms.

“This is a crisis moment in our Church,” said Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference. “While the bishops pull together their PR strategy, Catholics are heartbroken and angry. We need a transformation of leadership willing to rebuild trust through transparency and accountability.”

“Prayers and fasting are not enough. Clerics must work alongside lay people and survivors to implement the recommendations of the Pittsburgh Grand Jury report and cooperate with civil authorities,” said Zach Johnson, executive director of Call To Action.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA added: “The hate-speech and blame placed on ‘homosexuality’ as the root cause of the sexual abuse of children is incredibly damaging to the LGBTQI community and a blatantly transparent continuation of the Church officials’ policy of hand-washing and hiding.”

“We will not let the crimes and scandals of the hierarchy define our faith,” said Deborah Rose-Milavec, executive director of FutureChurch. “As Catholics, we will gather this weekend to witness for a Church that models justice, dignity for all people, and the safety of our children above all else.”

Baltimore, MD: Sunday, September 9 @ 10am, The Baltimore Basilica, 320 Cathedral Street.Cleveland, OH: Sunday, September 9 @ 10:30am, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 1007 Superior Ave. E.

Denver, CO: Sunday, September 9 @ 10 a.m., Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St.

Louisville, KY: Monday, September 10 @ 11:30 a.m., Cathedral of the Assumption

Philadelphia, PA: Saturday, September 8 @ 2:45 – 4:30 p.m., Sister Cities Park

Rochester, NY: Saturday, September 8 @ 11 a.m. Contact Gloria Ulterino at glorialbf@aol.com for location details.

Seattle, WA: Saturday, September 8 @ 12 noon – 2 p.m., St. James Cathedral, 9th Ave and Marion StreetWashington, D.C.: Sunday, September 9 @ 11 a.m., Apostolic Nunciature, 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Additional demonstrations will take place the weekend of October 6 and 7th in: Boston, MA; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Minneapolis, MN; and Richmond, VA.

To learn more visit: http://catholictoo.org

Sponsoring organizations: