IL - Sex Abuse Group Wants Abusers Names, Not Bureaucratic Process
For immediate release
Friday, March 11, 2004
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Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747
David Clohessy 314 566 9790
SNAP Urges Cardinal George To Live Up To Promise & Release Names
Leaders of a nationwide support group for clergy abuse victims are criticizing Cardinal Francis George for reneging on an earlier promise to publicize names of known and suspected abusive priests.
"Instead of abusers' names, we're given a bureaucratic process," said Barbara Blaine, president and founder of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "The Cardinal is again disappointing his flock."
"Why can't he just do what Catholics want, what victims need, what he promised, and what other bishops have done?" said Blaine.
"This isn't rocket science. It's simple: just do what you promised and tell us who's dangerous. Tell us who we should be protecting children and vulnerable adults from, " Blaine said.
"For a mom deciding who should babysit her child tomorrow or an employer deciding who to hire next week, this won't help," Blaine said.
"Instead of giving information, the Cardinal is soliciting information, and he's again setting up obstacle after obstacle instead of just coming clean," Blaine said.
Bishops in Tucson, Baltimore and Los Angeles have recently made public names of known or suspected abusive clergy. Geroge promised in September to do likewise, and missed a self-imposed deadline of January to set up such a system.
"Victims suffering in silence and shame want to know if others were abused by their perpetrator. Under this system, they can't do so without disclosing their identity to church officials," Blaine said.
http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/keeping_children_safe/access_to_information.shtm
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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