A Catholic bishop under a cloud of suspicion will be investigated by another prelate

September 13, 2018

For immediate release, September 13, 2018

Statement by Judy Jones, Volunteer SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]

Pope Francis has asked an archbishop to look into allegations that a West Virginia bishop sexually harassed adults. We believe potentially criminal behavior is best investigated by the professionals in law enforcement.

http://time.com/5395094/pope-francis-authorizes-investigation-of-west-virginia-bishop-over-sexual-harassment-claims/

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori is set to examine the charges against West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield. We believe the first step in his investigation must be to turn over every document and all witness information to the police, starting with the 2012 allegations from Philadelphia. The Archbishop should then use church websites, pulpit announcements and parish bulletins to beg every person who may have information about the allegations to contact law enforcement first as well.

If Archbishop Lori finds the allegations to be substantiated, Bishop Bransfield should not be allowed to retire with full honors and benefits. Instead, he should be publicly disciplined, so that other clergy will be deterred from engaging in similar misconduct.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world's oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 supporters. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org )

Contact - Judy Jones, (636-433-2511, [email protected]), Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [email protected]

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Winter Appeal 2023

To our friends,

2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’

At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.

To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.

Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.

Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.

Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!

Warmly,

Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.

Interim Executive Director

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