For immediate release, June 29, 2017

Statement by Steven Spaner, volunteer SNAP Australia coordinator, (+1 636-433-2511), snapspaner@gmail.com, www.snapaustralia.org

This is probably the most significant action to be taken on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse EVER.  The history of the Catholic Church has been to squelch accusations, hide and shield perpetrators, stonewall inquisitors, and re-abuse victims with ostracization, isolation and counter accusations. 

The Victoria and Melbourne law enforcement and investigative officers have shown the care, compassion, and allegiance to truth and duty that NONE of the ranking members and leaders of the Catholic Church has ever done.  

SNAP is so proud that they have shown the world that NO ONE is above nor beyond the law.  They have shown the preservers of justice and protectors of the vulnerable and innocent around the world what they can and should be doing to protect children and obtain justice for survivors.

It is no small factor that the indictment of the reportedly third ranking Vatican official brings the issue of Church responsibility and Church inaction to the Pope’s doorstep, indeed, to his inner most sacred and canonical chambers.  In short, the Pope’s hand has been called.  No more feckless investigative, advisory, or action committees formed by this Pope and centuries of Popes.  The righteous shall find love, life, prosperity and honor.

(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 20,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org )

Contact Steven Spaner, (+1 636-433-2511, snapspaner@gmail.com), Melanie Jula Sakkoda (+1 925-708-6175, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com), Barbara Dorris (+1 314-503-0003, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)