SNAP's role

* I'm saddened and troubled when I read and hear remarks such as those in Mark Shirilau's letter to the editor (NCR, May 25): "Maybe if you stop reporting everything SNAP does, it, like the sex scandals themselves, will fade into the past."

These scandals are not a thing of the past nor will they fade from memory. Without NCR reporting the stories, abusive priests would still be finding new victims, bishops and cardinals would still be reassigning abusive priests, and parishes would still be unaware of the abusive priests' history.

Last year Chicago Cardinal Francis George disregarded the recommendation of his review board and left a priest in active ministry. On May 29, a news release reported the $6.65 million lawsuit was settled with the Chicago archdiocese. Cardinal Mahony's transfer of abusing priests goes back to that time when he was head of the Stockton, Calif., diocese. He is still hiding behind his lawyer's public relations firms.

Sexual abuse by priests and the resultant actions by the bishops and cardinals in charge have affected everyone in the church. It has caused many people to question the moral leadership of the leaders of the church.

JACK SITTERDING

Hazel Crest, Ill.

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