Occasionally, news reporters want to know what normal Catholics in the pews think.
Below are samples of interviews Jennifer Kane, editor of LayDOB.com, gave as an advocate not only for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, but for common sense in reforming the Diocese of Buffalo. It starts with accountability.
Interview 25 Nov. 2020
Lingering questions about McCarrick report prompt concerns over accountability of officials who knew sexual offenders were still working with the public. “Jennifer Kane, an advocate for survivors of clerical abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, put it more bluntly.” That’s because I express myself like a normal layperson in the pews, as you will read in this report.
Interview 13 Dec. 2020
I renew lay concerns about diocesan officials flagged in the NY State Attorney General report for mishandling sexual abuse reports and for knowingly placing the public at risk. “Accountability is essential. If we don’t have faith in the integrity of the people in the system–hello–we’re not going to have faith in the system.”
Interview 10 Dec. 2020
This French publication is the premier independent Catholic daily in Europe. This article examines American Catholics’ reaction to the Vatican’s McCarrick Report–“the next chapter in a depressing long novel,” as one American journalist mentioned in the McCarrick Report put it. Others interviewed include a Boston College theologian, a retired priest who worked for McCarrick and Jennifer Kane. Read a rough English translation of this French article here.
Paul and Kris Ciaccia host “The Angry Catholic” podcast. Episode 128 (August 1, 2021)– Guest: Jennifer Kane of LayDOB.com. Transparent discussion on culture of Diocese of Buffalo poisoning objectivity of bishops’ lay advisors/enablers over the years which was most evident in clergy sex abuse crisis response. Listen with open heart. Pray for conversion. [55 minutes]
“The Angry Catholic” Podcast can be heard on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean and KCRD-FM Dubuque
“Jenny you have done an amazing Part One informative report on how laity can help heal the church and what was going on in the Buffalo Diocese. Looking forward to Part Two.“
Joanne Bisson
“An old nun who taught me in the convent referred to people in the pews as PIPs. Thanks for being willing to speak with the media and for representing the PIPs so well!“
Siobhan O’Connor
Whistleblower, Diocese of Buffalo
“Please keep chasing the Fraud. It keeps getting recycled and thrown against the wall to see what sticks.“
Mike Gleason
“Thanks for continuing to stand up for the survivors and writing this.”
Lisa Parker
“I don’t think they ever will get it.”
Michael Whalen Jr.
clergy sexual abuse survivor in the Diocese of Buffalo
This is an actual photo of parishioners at my church in the Diocese of Buffalo. We are real people seeking to change our diocese according to Gospel standards, not legal standards.
Four calls to action for our bishop:First call: Hold diocesan leaders accountable, and stop appointing in positions of authority those corrupt diocesan officials identified in the NY State Attorney General’s lawsuit. Second call:Reinstate whistleblower, Rev. Ryszard Biernat, to full and active ministry and establish whistleblower protections as is required to operate as a non-profit in the state of New York. Third Call: Give first priority to the needs of survivors of clergy sexual abuse before any attempts at diocesan “renewal.” Fourth call: Consult Catholic laity in our diocese who have not had their objectivity tainted after spending decades as “official” hand-picked lay advisors to the bishops.