CA- Victims urge Stockton Bishop to come clean
Victims to Bishop: Come clean about fugitive cleric
Stop defending indicted priest, SNAP urges Catholic official
Bishop must not use bankruptcy to stonewall victims, they say
What: Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and supporters will urge the bishop of Stockton to:
-- "come clean" and turn over evidence about a local priest indicted Monday for child sex crimes,
-- publicly apologize for keeping that priest in ministry during a civil child sex abuse trial,
-- reach out to child sex abuse victims in the diocese and urge them to report to law enforcement, and
-- stop using bankruptcy to stonewall victims, dupe public, delay justice
When: Thursday, January 16 at 11:00 am
Where: Outside of the Stockton Diocese Headquarters
212 N. San Joaquin St. (between Miner and Channel) in Stockton
Who: Two-to-three adults who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org). Some were molested as kids; others are concerned Catholics.
Why: On Monday, a Calaveras County grand jury indicted Fr. Michael Kelly on four felony counts of child molestation.http://www.modbee.com/2014/01/14/3134602/priest-kelly-facing-14-years-in.html. Kelly, who in April 2012 was found liable for sexually abusing a Stockton boy, fled to Ireland after the verdict and amid rumors that he was under criminal investigation.
Thoughout the five-year litigation with Kelly victim Travis Trotter, Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire maintained Kelly's innocence, even publicly disagreeing with the unanimous verdict against the priest. http://stocktondiocese.org/bishop/bishops-statements/michael-kelly-verdict-04-6-2012
If convicted, Kelly could face up to 14 years in prison.
The same day that Kelly was indicted, Blaire announced that the Stockton Diocese filing for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, January 15. In a statement, Blaire claimed he wants "compensation for victims who have not had their day in court," but said that legal costs had depleted the diocesan treasury. More than a decade ago, the diocese spun off parishes, schools and charities as separate corporations, a move, victims believe, to protect those assets from civil liability in sex abuse cases.
SNAP fears that there may be more victims of Michael Kelly suffering in shame and silence because of Bishop Blaire's callous remarks and five-year battle with an abuse victim. They also fear that Blaire is using the bankruptcy to stall scheduled child sex abuse trials and keep valuable evidence from becoming public. The group is urging victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to contact law enforcement. Victims are also encouraged to seek help and healing.
Contact:
Tim Lennon, SNAP San Francisco Director (415) 312-5820, [email protected]
Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director (949) 322-7434, [email protected]m
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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