IL- Victims push for more predator priest files
Victims push for more predator priest files
And they react to action by United Nations panel
SNAP testified about Chicago abuse case in Geneva
Group wants Cardinal George to release more records
“Opening the Fr. McCormack files is crucial,” victims say
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will push Chicago Catholic officials to
--release more records about predator priests, and
--ask a court to disclose files about Chicago's most notorious child molesting cleric, Fr. Daniel McCormack.
They will also respond to a historic, just-released United Nations panel's report on how the Vatican is dealing with clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
WHEN
Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 1:00 pm
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Chicago archdiocese chancery office, 835 N Rush, St, in Chicago
WHO
Four-five adults who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org). Some were molested as kids; others are concerned Catholics. One, SNAP's founder, has made two trips to Geneva in connection with the UN process and testified before the panel.
WHY
1) At 5:00 a.m. central time Wednesday, the Geneva-based United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child will issue a much-awaited report on whether Vatican officials are complying with a treaty on children's rights. ( It will likely be posted here: http://ccrjustice.org/ and herehttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx )
http://www.snapnetwork.org/second_united_nations_panel_to_question_vaticangy_abuse
US members of SNAP, including Chicago's Barbara Blaine, testified before the UN panel and were in Geneva last month when Vatican officials did the same. SNAP also submitted a lengthy report
Both verbally and in writing, SNAP cited the troubling 2006 case of Chicago's Fr. Daniel McCormack as one of many examples showing that Catholic officials still endanger kids, protect predators and hide information about known and suspected child sex crimes from police and prosecutors.
SNAP also cited a 2012 Chicago Tribune report about 32 proven, admitted or credibly accused US predator priests who have been sent or have gone overseas, sometimes to evade law enforcement.
http://media.apps.chicagotribune.com/fugitives/priests.html
No matter what the panel does, SNAP believes that this has already been a historic and helpful process for wounded victims and vulnerable kids “that will help “deter present and future callousness, recklessness and deceit”: by church and secular officials dealing with child sex crimes and cover ups.”
2) And two weeks ago, records about 30 Chicago archdiocesan predator priests were released by victims and their attorneys. At that time, Cardinal Francis George promised that he would release records on dozens of other child molesting clerics. He refused to say when, however, and has said nothing since making that pledge.
For the safety of kids, SNAP believes this process should start immediately and move quickly, focused first on those clerics who are still alive and not incarcerated.
Finally, the group also wants George to try to persuade a judge to unseal records in the McCormack case. Of all the 121 publicly accused Chicago area child molesting clerics, McCormack's records are the most important to disclose, SNAP believes, because those documents may well reveal names of current and/or recent church employees who acted irresponsibly.
If George and his top aides have “improved” their handling of clergy sex abuse reports, SNAP says, they should not be keeping these records secret and should be glad to help persuade a judge to release them.
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747, [email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003 cell,[email protected], Kate Bochte 630 768 1860 (cell), [email protected]
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 7 comments
..http://wh.gov/lUF7O
If we cannot literally carry out , the words of advice by Christ in Matthew, Mark and Luke, then I hope and pray that at the very least we can have these criminals brought to court, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. And, that accomplishing that, will compel the catholic church to cease and desist in its heinous and corrupt inclusion and endorsement of the “acts of pedophiles” and the catholic church’s evil coercion of civil authorities to “ignore” these criminals and their crimes. They MUST BE STOPPED.