A group representing survivors of sexual abuse by priests has made a ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of cardinals who would be the worst candidates for pope.
The list was based on the cardinals handling of child sex abuse claims or their public comments about the cases.
The list released by SNAP, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests includes names of three US Roman Catholic cardinals and nine from other countries.
According to CNN, as it released the list, SNAP said that its accusations were based on media reports, legal filings and victims’ statements.
When asked about the SNAP list, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, a spokesman for the Vatican, said that they believe it is not up to SNAP to decide who comes to conclave and who is chosen..
He added that cardinals can decide themselves without asking SNAP for advice
The others included in the list are Leonardo Sandri of Argentina, George Pell of Australia, Marc Ouellet of Canada, Dominik Duka or the Czech Republic, Peter Turkson of Ghana, Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, Tarcisio Bertone and Angelo Scola of Italy, and Norberto Rivera Carrera of Mexico.
SNAP has also called for some of the older cardinals to remove themselves from the meetings held before the election of the new pope, arguing that some have been accused of complicity in protecting priests accused of sexually abusing children, the report added.
