SNAP protests against Bishop Kicanas

November 15, 2010

Members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) gathered outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago to protest the potential election of Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“We question why they would want to pick someone who has a history of covering up for a child molester and someone who failed to warn parents about his problems,” said Barbara Blaine of SNAP. Bishop Kicanas, the current USCCB vice president, has received renewed criticism in recent days for the ordination of Daniel McCormack, who was a seminarian at Mundelein, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s major seminary, when Bishop Kicanas was rector. While at the major seminary, McCormack admitted that earlier, as a college seminarian, he had twice taken part in homsexual activity with fellow seminarians while drinking. In a recent interview, Bishop Kicanas emphasized that no allegations of sexual abuse of minors were made while McCormack was at the seminary.

McCormack later became dean of students at the college seminary and was named head of one of the archdiocese’s deaneries. Now laicized, he is serving a five-year prison term for the abuse of five boys.

 

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Further information:

• Two Views Of Likely Catholic Leader (NPR)
• SNAP protests against bishop with Chicago roots (WLS-TV)
• Tucson Bishop up for prestigious honor (KOLD-TV)
• Accused Priest Was Rising Star (Chicago Tribune)
• Bishop Kicanas defends his handling of McCormack case (CWN, 11/12)