Clergy sex abuse survivors and supporters applaud sentencing of abusive Houston priest

Clergy sex abuse survivors and supporters applaud sentencing of abusive Houston priest

They are grateful to see children protected and survivors validated

Now they want church officials to answer questions about the priest’s time in Houston

“Let us move forward now and turn our focus to the enablers” they say

WHAT: Holding signs at a sidewalk press conference, clergy abuse survivors and their supporters will:

• Stand in support and solidarity with the victims of Fr. Manuel LaRosa Lopez
• Bring attention to the inaction by church officials in Houston, and
• Demand that steps be taken to remove the abusive priest’s honors and ensure that any enablers are punished for putting children at risk

WHO: Several members of a support and advocacy group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) including a Houston-man who is the group’s local leader

WHEN: Wednesday, December 16 at 1:30 PM (right after the hearing concludes)

WHERE: On the steps outside of the Montgomery County Courthouse, 301 N Main St, Conroe, TX 77301

WHY: Clergy abuse survivors and supporters from SNAP are gathering to show support for victims of clergy abuse and ensure that parishioners and the public are better informed about the extent of clergy abuse in Houston. While they are grateful that Fr. Manuel LaRosa Lopez is no longer able to hurt other children, they are concerned about enablers within the Houston archdiocese and fear there are other priests still working who pose a danger to children and vulnerable adults.

“We are elated to know that this terrible saga is coming to an end with the sentencing of Manuel La Rosa Lopez and that he will be spending the next 10 years behind bars,” said Eduardo Lopez de Casas, leader of SNAP Houston. “We want to wish the best for his victims as they continue on their healing journey which unfortunately will last the rest of their lives.”

At the same time, SNAP Houston wants to be sure that other wrongdoers associated with LaRosa Lopez are not able to put other children in harm’s way. “Let us remind everyone that (Father) Manuel La Rosa Lopez remains a priest in the Galveston-Houston Diocese even with his admission of guilt,” said Lopez de Casas. “Now that LaRosa Lopez has been sentenced, the question that still needs to be answered is ‘why did Cardinal Daniel DiNardo allow this priest to continue in his ministry even after he knew of the accusations?’

SNAP is calling on church officials in Houston to explain their mishandling of the LaRosa Lopez case publicly. In order to protect children and show support for victims, church officials must be doing everything within their power to ensure another case like LaRosa Lopez’s is not allowed to happen.

CONTACT: Eduardo Lopez de Casas, SNAP Houston ( [email protected], 832 641 6319), Zach Hiner, 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)