Disturbing Delaware Catholic records released; SNAP responds
In almost any diocese in the US, we believe, documents show the same disturbing pattern – the men who have ignored and hidden horrific child sex crimes are still in positions of power.
Just last week, top Catholic officials met in Rome and once again – as they have for years – pledged reform. Yet today, we’re reminded of a sad, simple and enduring fact – almost all of what we learn about this on-going crisis we learn despite, not because of, the church hierarchy. Secrecy surrounding child sex crimes continues to this day in this institution.
In almost every instance, Catholic officials continue doing little or nothing to reveal the truth, and victims, witnesses, whistleblowers, police, prosecutors and advocates continue to do the hard work of exposing child molesting clerics and their corrupt church supervisors.
We applaud the brave and persistent Delaware victims who fought to get access to these records and are now sharing them with parishioners and the public. We beg Delaware Catholics and citizens to read them and learn about the powerful, secretive men who are still protecting their colleagues over our children.
Read the story here: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120215/NEWS/120215020/Files-released-Wilmington-diocese-cases?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome
Barbara Blaine, founder of SNAP, passed away on Sunday, September 24th, 2017. Her dying was sudden and completely unexpected. Words cannot express our sorrow nor are there words to express our gratitude for her relentless advocacy. She truly was a hero. There is an old saying, “well behaved women seldom make history”. Barbara made history and the world is a better place.
We have put together a tribute for Barbara Blaine to honor her memory. If you would like to contribute a memory, please send your favorite memory of Barbara to admin@snapnetwork.org
50 State AG Call for Grand Jury
Write a letter to the attorney general of your state. Demand, request, and beg them to impanel a grand jury.
Any investigation must be:
- independent of and separate from the church
- must have subpoena powers and ability to compel testimony under oath
Anything short of these criteria is a sham and whitewash.
In addition, write letters to the editor, make phone calls to politicians as they can apply pressure to keep them responsive to our demand. We need to make efforts to ensure that they follow up on what the state is doing to investigate these crimes.
The Attorneys General of forty states have inquired about the grand jury process in Pennsylvania. Let's get statewide investigations going in fifty states.
Note to Letter Writers
Use your own words and style of writing. Cut and paste from the templates as you wish. Include your experiences, whether as a survivor or as a member of the community. And relate your letter to the state you were abused in or state now living in.
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