Ex-Bishop Michael Bransfield Again Accused of Abuse
According to reports, former Bishop Michael Bransfield is accused of a inappropriately touching a 9 year old during a 2012 field trip to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We applaud the bravery of this young victim. It is incredibly challenging to come forward and report abuse at any time, so we hope that the victim in this case is getting the support and help she needs from her community.
We hope that this news will encourage any others who were hurt, whether by Bishop Bransfield or others, to come forward and make a report to law enforcement. And we hope that church officials in both Washington D.C. and in Wheeling-Charleston will make every effort to encourage other survivors to come forward, make a report to law enforcement, and start healing.
CONTACT: Becky Ianni, SNAP Board Member and Volunteer Virginia / Washington D.C. Leader ([email protected], 703-801-6044), Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, (636-433-2511, [email protected]), 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)
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
Showing 2 comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKXj8R4_X8
Bishop Gordon Bennett (a Jesuit) was barred from ministering in the Baltimore archdiocese following harassment allegations regarding a young adult (not necessarily a seminarian). Bishop Bennett had previously been assigned for 6-years to the Jesuit California Novitiate (seminary) which was populated with young adults.