Catholic Diocese, Western Mass. District Attorneys Reach Deal On Sexual Abuse Reporting
The Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese and three western Massachusetts prosecutors have reached a deal on how the church will report sexual abuse allegations.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the diocese has to turn over information about sexual abuse claims it receives to the appropriate district attorney's office. The church also will suspend its own investigation for three months, or longer if a criminal probe is taking place.
The deal comes after Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said last year the diocese was failing to refer all cases to prosecutors. Gulluni said this latest agreement should clear up those concerns.
"We're happy with this, that this will be in place going forward, to make sure that if any of those allegations come forward to the diocese, that they're given to law enforcement [and] law enforcement has the appropriate opportunity to investigate cases," Gulluni said.
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan also signed on to the deal. He said the church agreeing to come forward with sexual abuse claims was "four or five decades overdue."
"The abuse that was happening for many decades was screened out by authorities in the diocese, not only here, but elsewhere," Sullivan said. "Hopefully that practice will end."
Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington joined Gulluni and Sullivan in signing the agreement.
"This is an overdue commitment from the church after clergy members committed terrible crimes against children for decades and too many victims never recei...
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