Convict priest takes the 5th in deposition; SNAP applauds victim legal teams
(For Immediate Release March 31, 2022)
According to a news report from WGN Chicago, convicted former priest Daniel McCormack’s legal problems are not over as he and the Archdiocese of Chicago face multiple civil lawsuits. We are grateful to the victims and attorneys who continue to press for justice and hope that their efforts will result in more victims feeling encouraged to come forward, make a report, and seek help.
McCormack is one of Illinois’ most prolific sexual offenders. In 2018, a judge ruled Fr. McCormack was “sexually violent” and confined him to the detention facility for sex offenders indefinitely, but despite that decision, McCormack was released in November 2021. We are distressed that someone with a violent history as McCormack was allowed to be released, especially since predators do not ever stop offending.
This is why we stand in ovation for the hard work being put forth by attorneys who are still seeking justice, validation, and reparation for their clients. To us, it is critical that the Archdiocese of Chicago is scoured again and again, for they enabled and shielded this serial pedophile. We are especially concerned that the public knows very little about McCormack’s crimes. We are convinced there is crucial information about how Chicago Catholic officials dealt with this notorious predator that church officials are still hiding. Just as important, we believe, is information about other clerics who committed and concealed awful crimes against kids that are similarly still being hidden.
Sometimes, victims delay coming forward out of fear that their experience will be dismissed. Clearly, the attorneys in the case against McCormack and the Archdiocese of Chicago want the whole truth for their victims. We believe this may empower others who have been abused to step forward and get the help they need.
CONTACT:
Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]
Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(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
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