Schedule too busy to meet with victims' group, Rigali claims

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinal-designate Justin Rigali says he will not be able to meet with a group of clergy abuse victims because of a busy schedule before his departure Monday from St. Louis.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests sent a letter to Rigali on Thursday requesting he meet with the group today, a day before he is scheduled to leave and become archbishop of Philadelphia. Rigali will then be installed as a cardinal on Oct. 21.

In a letter to SNAP group leader Barbara Dorris, Rigali said his "schedule is completely filled for the two remaining days that I will be in St. Louis."

Rigali is scheduled to participate in a farewell celebration this afternoon, then leave for Philadelphia Monday morning.

Rigali said in the letter that other officials in the archdiocese would "continue to meet with individuals bringing allegations of abuse and with victims of substantiated allegations of abuse." Rigali said he also intended to meet with abuse victims in Philadelphia.

Dorris said she was disappointed but not surprised by Rigali's response. She said she hoped archdiocese officials would meet with the group in the future.

"I think it's very, very important that they meet with us," Dorris said. "It would be like doctors trying to cure cancer without ever seeing a cancer patient. How can they solve this problem if they never talk to us?"

Dorris said the group had hoped Rigali would attend so he could hear members' concerns.

"We'd like him to understand what being abused by clergy does to someone," Dorris said. "We'd like him to understand what he can do to prevent it."

SNAP leaders say they have tried several times to meet with Rigali during his nine years in St. Louis, but he has always put off the meetings until another day. SNAP national director David Clohessy says the group has also never been able to meet with auxiliary bishops in St. Louis.

Dorris said she was frustrated "that the abuse of children has never been important to the diocese, that they have never really tried to deal with this problem."

Rigali wrote that SNAP had not requested any meetings since group representatives postponed a scheduled meeting last December.

"The Archdiocese of St. Louis has long been committed to assisting victims of abuse so that they can experience the healing they rightfully seek," Rigali wrote. "The Archdiocese is likewise committed to protecting children and young people now and for the future. The commitment of the Archdiocese is strong. The resolve of the Archdiocese is firm."