California Attorney General opens Probe into Archdiocese of Los Angeles
We are encouraged by the announcement that AG Xavier Becerra will open a probe into the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and their handling of clergy sex abuse allegations.
Especially given the fact that, for the last decade, LA catholic officials have refused to update or add to its list of “credibly” accused clerics. And as an additional fact an LA bishop was known to be an abuser and was kept in his job, where he was supposed to be a gatekeeper against, among other things, child sex abuse.
We can only wonder how many other admitted, proven and accused abusers may have benefited from this reckless secrecy. Vigilance and transparency are the best ways to keep children safe from predators and to support survivors of sexual abuse.
Other sources have said that this review may extend to other dioceses in California as well. This is a good move. There is likely little difference between how diocese and religious orders throughout California handle allegations of abuse, so we believe any investigation should extend to each of those institutions as well.
Recent cases from the Diocese of Oakland and Diocese of Fresno make it clear that abuse is a current problem at other Catholic institutions in California. We hope that this probe will shed more light on these cases and result in safer communities for children throughout the state.
CONTACT: Dan McNevin, SNAP Board Member ([email protected], 415-341-6417), Joey Piscitelli, SNAP California ([email protected], 925-262-3699) Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Coordinator, ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Esther Hatfield Miller, SNAP Los Angeles (562-673-9442, [email protected]), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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