Group makes list of bad papal candidates

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ROME, March 6 (UPI) -- A Vatican spokesman said the papal conclave doesn't need the list of 12 cardinals named as bad papal candidates by a group representing priest-abuse victims.

SNAP, the Survivors' Network of those Abused by Priests, which provided a "Dirty Dozen" list of cardinals it believes would be the worst for pope in light of those cardinals' handling of child sex abuse claims, CNN reported Wednesday.

CNN did not report the names of the cardinals on the list.

SNAP said its accusations are based on victims' statements, media reports and legal documents.

The cardinals on SNAP's list have not yet responded to the list, CNN reported.

"We believe it is not up to SNAP to decide who comes to conclave and who is chosen ... . Cardinals can decide themselves without asking SNAP for advice," said the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's spokesman.

While cardinals over the age of 80 are not permitted to participate in the conclave, SNAP called for some of the older cardinals to recuse themselves from meetings held prior to the election of the new pope because some allegedly have been complicit in protecting priests accused of child sex abuse.

"The single quickest and most effective step would be for the next pope to clearly discipline, demote, denounce and even defrock cardinals and bishops who are concealing child sex crimes. We think that's the missing piece," said SNAP's executive director, David Clohessy, adding the group has concentrated on candidates with a realistic chance of being named pope.