Vatican
Refuses Permission for Filming of Victims of Clergy Abuse to
Gather at
St.
Peters Square
October
26, 2010 Boston Massachusetts: Survivors Voice (www.survivorsvoice.org)
co-founders Gary Bergeron & Bernie McDaid plan to move ahead
with the Reformation Day event on Sunday, October 31,
2010.
Survivor's
Voice was informed today that the Vatican social communications
officer, Mr. Scelzo, began informing members of the media yesterday
that they will not be allowed to cover the Reformation Day event or
film from the grounds of the Vatican. Survivors Voice has also been
denied permits for victims of clergy abuse to gather as a group on
Vatican property.
The event
which is described as "A gathering of people from around the globe
standing together with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in one
united voice to say "Enough!" will go on as planned at the City
Square in front of the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome beginning at 6:00
pm on Sunday Evening, October 31st.
"Although
we are disheartened by the news, we are not discouraged.
An invitation was extended to them for what could
have been a moment in time that may have helped heal victims of
abuse. They said no. With groups of survivors and
individuals coming from over a dozen countries around the world, we
have been forced to move our event to 500 meters away from St.
Peters Square, but we will proceed. What began as humble
expectations has grown to the point where we are humbled by the
numbers of survivors who will be making the journey to stand with
us and say 'Enough'. It was one thing for the Vatican to say that
we were not welcomed, but now to hear that they are trying to stop
people around the world joining us in sprit, by attempting to stop
the filming of anything that happens at St. Peter's square is quite
frankly, Enough."
This event
will include the introduction of a petition calling on the United
Nations to define and include the Systemic Sexual Abuse of Children
under Article 7 of its charter definitions of Crimes Against
Humanity. (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/survivorsvoice/)
For more
information visit www.survivorsvoice.org
Contact:
Gary Bergeron / 978-606-3193
garymbergeron@gmail.com
Contact:
Bernie McDaid / 617-529-2029
bernie.mcdaid@gmail.com
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