2002 & 2003 Release Archive

Contacts:

Mark Serrano, 703-727-4940 (cell); 703-771-9606 (office)
Paul Steidler, 703-587-3462 (cell); 703-467-5981 (office)

Critique Memorandum of Understanding Between State and Catholic Dioceses; Offer Five Solutions

Trenton, NJ/December 4, 2002 -- The following statement was issued today by Paul Steidler of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) following a meeting between state and national leaders of SNAP and senior members of the New Jersey Attorney General's office. An appendix with additional information about the matters discussed in the statement is also provided.

"We have just concluded a vigorous and far-ranging discussion with some of the most senior members of New Jersey's law enforcement community about the public safety dangers that sexual offenders in the Catholic Church pose to New Jersey children today.

For immediate release: November 14, 2002

For more information, contact:
Peter Isely 414 429 7259 cell
Mark Serrano 703 727 4940 cell, 703 771 9606
David Clohessy 314 556 9790 cell, 314 645 5915
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747 cell

"Unprecedented & Brave " Public Comments Bode Well, Group Says

A national support group for men and women sexually abused by clerics praised two Catholic bishops for speaking up this week on the issue.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (survivorsnetwork.org), praised Dallas Bishop Joseph Gallante and Omaha Archbishop Elden Curtiss for "publicly siding with those who are hurting and vulnerable."

In an interview with a Texdas newspaper, Gallante expressed frustration with Bishop Charles Grahmann for failing to remove a pastor accused of sexual misconduct with an adult man in 1991. The accusation surfaced in May of this year. (see Dallas Morning News (11/11/02, http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/stories/111102dnproalvarez.c4c7b.html)

TEXT OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT OF
US CATHOLIC CONF. OF BISHOPS:

August 30, 2002

Dear Bishop Gregory:

Just two months ago in Dallas, you and your colleagues made many promises. America's Catholic bishops, by an overwhelming margin, pledged to

- "demonstrate a sincere commitment to the spiritual and emotional well-being
(of abuse survivors)"

-"deal as openly as possible with members of the community. This is especially so with regard to assisting and supporting parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors"

For immediate release:
Monday, July 22, 2002

New Commission Members To Be Announced Tomorrow

SNAP Won't Be On Body, Keating Says

A national support group for men and women molested by clergy is asking again for representation on a lay panel which will "oversee" American bishops' compliance with a new national sexual abuse policy. The support group - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) - is also criticizing the make up of the panel.

The panel, headed by Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, was announced last
month at the bishops' meeting in Dallas. The rest of the commission members
are expected to be announced tomorrow, SNAP was informed today by Governor
Keating's office.

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Paul Steidler, Effective Communications
703-467-5981 (office); 703-587-3462 (cell)

Group Stresses Need for Accountability

Historic Meeting with Cardinals Also Expected on Wednesday

Chicago, IL/June 11, 2002 - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) today announced that it has put forward 14 proposed detailed amendments to the U.S. Catholic Bishops' draft Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Historic Session to Take Place Before Bishops' Meeting, June 12

Chicago, IL/June 6, 2002 - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) today announced that three Roman Catholic Cardinals are expected to meet with a group of 25 childhood clerical sexual abuse survivors on Wednesday, June 12 in Dallas, Texas.

Cardinals Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles, Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C., and William Keeler of Baltimore, Maryland, as well as Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota, are expected to attend the session. Archbishop Flynn is also the Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse. SNAP has invited, and continues to welcome, all U.S. Cardinals to attend the session.