Local Wisconsin-Based Survivor-Activists Take on Leading Role in Global Campaign Against Clergy Abuse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-19-2023
Nate's Mission, a Wisconsin-based project under the umbrella of the international anti-clergy abuse organization, Ending Clergy Abuse, is proud to announce its role as a leading force behind a dynamic week of action in Rome and Geneva. This global media campaign aims to amplify the collective global voice advocating for zero tolerance when it comes to sexual abuse and its cover-up within the Catholic Church.
In a momentous gathering of survivors, activists, and advocates from around the world, Nate's Mission leaders will take part in a week-long initiative that seeks to bring global attention to the ongoing issue of clergy abuse and the imperative need for a binding and universal zero tolerance law in the Church. Under current Vatican policy, a cleric, Church employee, or volunteer who is known to Church officials to have sexually abused a child or vulnerable adult can remain in ministry. Global survivors are calling for this to end.
This landmark event, set to unfold in Rome and Geneva, will showcase the power of collective action and international solidarity in addressing one of the most significant moral crises of our time. Through a series of events, press conferences, and advocacy efforts, Nate's Mission and Ending Clergy Abuse will push for systemic changes that prioritize the protection of the vulnerable and the pursuit of truth and justice.
A schedule of events for activities in Rome can be found in the press release below. Events in Geneva will be announced in an upcoming press release.
Voices for Justice: Survivor-Activists from Across the World Converge for Zero Tolerance ahead of Papal Synod
Rome, Italy – Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), a global coalition of survivor leaders, activists, and human rights lawyers, representing victims in 25 countries on 5 continents, is proud to announce a powerful series of events in Rome, centering on our demand that Pope Francis sign into law a binding and universal zero tolerance mandate before his Synod on Synodality.
Such a law would implement key recommendations to the Holy See from the 2014 United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - particularly an update to Canon Law putting the internal law of the Church in compliance with the CRC Convention relating to “children’s rights to be protected against discrimination, violence and all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.”
Over four years after ECA’s meeting with the organizers of the 2019 Papal Summit on the Protection of Minors, and after several insufficient canon law revisions, a cleric, Church employee, or volunteer who is known to Church officials to have sexually abused a child or vulnerable adult can remain in ministry. Global survivors are calling for this to end.
The series of events will feature the following key activities:
Pilgrimage to Rome (21-26 September): Ten survivors and activists will pilgrimage/march (75 miles) to Rome from Montefiascone, along the Via Francigena, carrying an 8-foot wooden cross with a zero-tolerance message and distributing leaflets urging residents along the way to report clergy abuse to local civil authorities and to promote our message and planned activities in Rome. We will pass through the towns of Viterbo, Caprarola, Sutri, Campagnano di Roma, Isola Farnese to Rome.
FULL SCHEDULE HERE
Completion of Pilgrimage at St. Peter’s Square (12:00pm, 27 September): Marchers traveling to Rome from Montefiascone will finish their 75-mile pilgrimage meeting survivors from around the world in St. Peter’s Square.
Press Event at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith (10:00am, 28 September): Survivors and advocates will discuss and rate the handling of sex abuse cases by the Pope’s 21 cardinal-designates scheduled to be elevated on Saturday 30 September.
March and Vigil at Castel Sant’Angelo gardens, end of Via della Conciliazione (4:00pm-8:00pm, 30 September): ECA will host a march and vigil for clergy abuse survivors alongside a powerful photojournalistic presentation entitled “Shame,” including an emotionally-charged exhibit exposing the painful reality of child victims of clergy abuse from around the world through a collection of hauntingly-honest portraits and painstaking documentation. Beginning officially at 6:00pm, the vigil will feature contributions from clergy abuse victims, activists, and anti-abuse organizations.
Press Event at the Foreign Press Club (11:00am, 2 October): Survivors and advocates will demand that Pope Francis sign ECA’s new proposed Zero Tolerance law before his Synod on Synodality begins.
ECA believes that by coming together in the heart of Rome, we can amplify our voices, demand change, and ensure that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.
For more information and event details, please visit www.ecaglobal.org. We encourage media representatives, Synod leaders and members, and concerned Catholics to join us in this crucial cause.
Contact:
United States - English
Peter Isely, ECA Founding Member
peter@natesmission.org
+1 414-429-7259
Tim Law, ECA Founding/Board Member
timalaw@aol.com
+1 206-412-0165
Canada - English
Gemma Hickey (they/them)
Pathways Foundation Founder/ECA Member
gemmamhickey@gmail.com
+1 709-690-5244
Evelyn Korkmaz, ECA Founding Member
ACTS Canada Founding Member
ekorkmaz16@hotmail.com
+1 613-854-1303
Latin America - Spanish/English
Adalberto Méndez, ECA Founding/Board Member
adalsamma@yahoo.com.mx
+52 155 36533007
Europe - German/English
Matthias Katsch, ECA Founding Member
makazade@gmail.com
+49 178 1674838
Italy - Italian/English/Spanish/Portuguese
Simone Padovani, ECA Founding/Board Member
simon.padovani@gmail.com
+39 392 1454211
About ECA: The mission of ECA is to compel the Roman Catholic Church to end clergy abuse, especially child sexual abuse, in order to protect children and to seek justice for victims. ECA demands the end of the Church’s structural mechanism that allows abuse.