http://www.snapnetwork.org/wa_spokanebishopsuspends

Weeks ago, Spokane’s top Catholic official quietly suspended a credibly accused predator priest. But Bishop Blasé Cupich notified only his flock, not the public. He refused to disclose when the allegations surfaced. He urged other victims to call church officials, not secular authorities. And he made no mention of possible criminal prosecution or of the need for Catholics and citizens to share what they know about the priest with law enforcement. This is disturbing and reckless.

Though Fr. Daniel Wetzler’s suspension took effect on Oct. 1, no word of it was circulated, apparently, until Oct. 16 when a notice was printed on page eight of the Spokane diocesan newspaper, the Inland Register. Nothing was said about helping police and prosecutors build a criminal case against Fr. Wetzler.

As best we can tell, Cupich did not hold a news conference or issue a news release about the accusations. He didn’t say when the victim reported the abuse, which is an important fact. (Did it take months or years for Cupich to act?)

Only yesterday did the public learn about the credible child sex accusations through a small article in the Spokesman-Review, a secular daily newspaper.

This is wrong. Child sex accusations should be made publicly as broadly and quickly as possible. Otherwise, like child molesters are given more chances to intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, discredit whistleblowers, destroy evidence, fabricate alibis and even flee the country.

As best we can tell, Cupich did not hold a news conference or issue a news release about the accusations. He didn’t say when the victim reported the abuse, which is an important fact. (Did it take months or years for Cupich to act?)

This is wrong. Child sex accusations should be made publicly as broadly and quickly as possible. Otherwise, like child molesters are given more chances to intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, discredit whistleblowers, destroy evidence, fabricate alibis and even flee the country.

There are 6.9 million people in Washington. Cupich’s diocese is the nation’s 134th in size, claiming to have 722,000 members. So Cupich deliberately chose to notify, on page eight of his newspaper, a very small percentage of those who should have been told of the credible allegations against Fr. Wetzler.

Most abuse victims leave the church. So do many who saw or suspected predator priest’s crimes. Most police and prosecutors don’t read their local diocesan paper. Cupich is a smart man. He knows all this. He understands that a small acknowledgement in his diocesan paper will likely go unnoticed by those who need most to see it. So he’s acting like Catholic bishops have acted for decades in clergy sex cases: by doing the absolute bare minimum.

And of course, many child molesting clerics sexually violate kids they know outside of their parishes – kids who live in the neighborhood, deliver the daily newspaper, mow the parish lawn or whatever. That’s another reason that all parents, not just Catholic parents who subscribe to their diocesan newspaper, deserve and need to know when a priest is so dangerous he’s being ousted.

Let us say now what Cupich should have said – widely and clearly – weeks or even months ago: If you saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes by Fr. Wetzler, you have a moral and civic duty to call the independent, experienced professionals in law enforcement so that kids might be protected, Fr. Wetzler might be prosecuted and the church itself be more healthy and safe. You may think that by keeping quiet, you’re helping your parish, diocese or faith. But you are doing just the reverse. So please, find the courage to break your silence, safeguard innocent kids, and prevent future crimes.

This is the message that Cupich should be spreading far and wide and immediately.

What we said about Cupich on Sept. 20 bears repeating now:

At least 39 SPOKANE PRIESTS have been publicly accused of child sexual abuse. That's a very high number for a relatively small diocese. Cupich should explain, in detail, what he has done that goes “above and beyond” the bare minimum of paying settlements and suspending predators.

– He and his top aides in Spokane acknowledge that 27 OF THESE 39 CLERICS HAVE MOLESTED CHILDREN . He should explain that discrepancy.

– He should tell parishioners and the public precisely what he has done to warn parents about and protect kids from Patrick G. O'Connell, the most prolific and notorious child molesting cleric in the Northwest.

Continue reading for Cupich's past record. It's not pretty. He should be questioned about HIS cover ups. Is this why he kept being kicked upstairs?