KC bishop promotes “troubling” priest; SNAP responds
On Friday, in his diocesan newspaper Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn quietly disclosed his promotion of Fr. Patrick Rush, a priest who is closely connected with a number of proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics. For years, he was the second-in-command of the diocese. He has been named as a defendant, because of that role, in a number of child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits.
If Finn keeps picking and promoting long-time church insiders and those with close ties church insiders, the chances for change are greatly reduced.
As vicar general, in 2002, Rush publicly defended the decision to keep Fr. Thomas Ward in parish ministry, despite the fact that the diocese paid a settlement to his accuser.
Rush admitted that parishioners had not been officially informed by the diocese of the allegations against Ward.
That same year, Rush refused to identify four priests who had been accused of molesting kids.
No matter how much re-shuffling Finn does in his diocese, the crux of the crisis remains unaddressed: the virtually limitless power of a corrupt bishop who values sexually troubled clerics over innocent young kids.
In part, we believe this is another move by Finn to try and convince people he’s “reforming.” We also believe it’s an admission – belatedly and begrudgingly – that his legal needs and the diocese’s legal needs may not be identical. And it’s likely designed to help mute criticism that his defense maneuvers will be self-serving at the expense of the diocese.
Read the story here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/kc-bishop-signifies-conflict-delegates-away-diocesan-legal-authority
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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