“Global Countdown to Zero Tolerance.”

International Clergy Abuse Survivors, Activists and Allies to Stage Five Day Campaign in Rome during Papal Summit.

Actions will include a Global “March to Zero”.

Rome, Italy (January 31, 2019) — A global organization of prominent clergy abuse survivors and activists, Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), will be leading actions and protests in Rome during the upcoming papal summit, February 20-24, calling upon Pope Francis to write into universal church law zero tolerance for sexual abuse and cover-up.

Expected in Rome will be fifty ECA leaders from six continents representing over 21 nations. They will convene in Rome on Monday, February 18. The group’s plans include a Global “March to Zero” led by survivors on Saturday, February 23. Joining ECA will be leaders from other prominent groups such as SNAP and Bishop Accountability, along with legal reform and human rights advocates.

The Pope called the summit, the first of its kind in Church history, to address the worldwide escalation of the sexual abuse and cover-up crisis. The president of every national bishops’ conference is required to attend.

During the summit, ECA will focus on the global nature of the abuse crisis and why it demands a global solution. The prevalence of clerical sexual abuse is only now beginning to emerge in Africa and Asia, where victims are especially vulnerable and effectively silenced. Two-thirds of the bishops at the summit will be from the developing world. ECA will also be urging the expansion of international, national and local criminal justice investigations, along with reforms of sexual abuse civil laws.

Although Francis has indicated his personal support for zero tolerance, he has refused so far to write it into church law, an act that would make it universally binding in the Catholic Church. If he did so, bishops would be required to immediately remove from ministry potentially thousands of clerics known to have sexually assaulted or abused children.

Under current church law, clerics can sexually abuse children and vulnerable adults and remain in the priesthood, and bishops who cover up these crimes can remain in positions of authority.

ECA SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC ACTIONS IN ROME

Tuesday, February 19
Press Conference – Bishop Accountability Press Event- 11 a.m.

Press Conference –  Abuse of Nuns in the Church – Voices of Faith –  (Doris Wagner- Barbara Dorris), Foreign Press Association (Stampa Estera, Via dell’Umiltà 83, Roma), 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 20
Press Conference — Countdown to Zero Tolerance. Foreign Press Room – Via dell’Umiltà, 83, 00187 Roma, 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 21
Press Conference – Polish Report – Piazza delle Vaschette, 13, 00193 Roma, 2:00 p.m.

Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus – Head of the Polish Parliamentary Committee on Hate Speech and the Protection of Human Rights. “Presentation of key findings of the report on the violations of secular and canon laws by Polish bishops in the context of priests who engaged in sexual abuse of minors and dependents.”
Marek Lisiński, Founder/President. Fundacja “Nie lękajcie się”,
Anna Frankowska, Member, Fundacja “Nie lękajcie się”,
Agata Zyglewska-Diduszko, Member, Fundacja “Nie lękajcie się”,
Marek Mielewczyk, Member, Fundacja “Nie lękajcie się”

Global Twilight Vigil for Justice. Giardini di Castel Sant’Angelo, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 22
–International Religious Orders and the Abuse Crisis. Outside the International Headquarters of the Benedictine Order, Sant’Anselmo all’Aventino Church, Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, 5, 00153 Roma, 11:00 a.m.

–Survivors Stories and Testimony. Piazza delle Vaschette, 13, 00193 Roma. Event is open to the press, 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 23
Global “March to Zero” Tolerance. March begins at Piazza del Popolo – The ‘People’s Square’ of Rome at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, February 24
Final Press event — What’s Next for Survivors, the Catholic Church and the Abuse Crisis. Location and time to be announced.  

ECA will also be available throughout the summit for interviews and response.

CONTACT
Peter Isely (US Spokesperson/ECA Founding Member)
Email:peterisely@gmail.com
Tel: +1414-429-7259 (English)

Dr. Denise Buchanan (ECA Founding/Board Member)
Email: denise@ecaglobal.org
Tel: +1310-980-2770 (English)

Simone Padovani (ECA Founding Member)
Email: simon.padovani@gmail.com
Tel: +393921454211 (English, Italian, Spanish)

Tim Law (President ECA Founding/Board Member)
Email: timalaw@aol.com
Tel: +1206.412.0165 (English)


Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) is a worldwide leadership organization of survivors of clergy abuse and human rights activists. Its mission is to compel the Roman Catholic Church to end clergy abuse, protect children, and seek justice for victims. ECA assembly members represent over 21 countries from 6 continents. https://www.ecaglobal.org – @ENDCLERGYABUSE – https://www.facebook.com/ENDCLERGYABUSE/   – contactus@ecaglobal.org