Former GB Bishop Zubik responds to SNAP attack

At a news conference on Dec. 21 in Green Bay, Wis., an activist group that claims to represent victims of clergy sexual abuse charged that the Diocese of Green Bay has been destroying records of “pedophile priests.”

In a news release announcing the news conference, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) claimed that there was “a standing order issued by Bishop David Zubick (sic) in 2007 to destroy secret files on pedophile clergy.”

Bishop Zubik served as bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay from 2003 to 2007 before he was named bishop of Pittsburgh by Pope Benedict XVI.

In response to the SNAP allegation, Bishop Zubik stated that there “was never an order issued by me — nor anyone else — to destroy documents or evidence contained in the files of priests accused of abuse while I served as bishop of Green Bay.

“To the contrary, it had been diocesan practice in Green Bay not to destroy documents in priest files — even after a priest had died — if there was litigation involving that priest or any pending claims. I reinforced that practice by having it formally written into the diocesan records retention policy in 2007.

“The accusations made by SNAP are totally without substance as the response of the Diocese of Green Bay makes abundantly clear.”

The SNAP news conference was the result of a motion filed in November by attorneys for a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Green Bay. In the motion, the attorneys claimed that the Diocese of Green Bay was engaged in the destruction of documents relevant to the civil suit.

Attorneys for the Diocese of Green Bay filed a brief in opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion on Nov. 23.

The Diocese of Green Bay stated that it has a record retention policy and schedule in place since 2006 that applies to all documents created or received by all departments within the diocese.

Under Bishop Zubik’s direction, that policy states clearly that no documents can be destroyed in any priest files when there is litigation involving a priest or any claims pending.

That policy has continued to be rigorously enforced under Bishop David Ricken who succeeded Bishop Zubik in Green Bay, diocesan officials confirmed at the SNAP news conference.

The court has taken no action on the motion filed by the attorneys for the civil lawsuit.

 Pittsburgh Catholic