Laicized Priest found to be a credentialed Marriage and Family Therapist; SNAP reacts
SNAP has recently learned that a former priest, Andrew Gabriel Encinas, who worked in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, is now listed as a Marriage and Family therapist in Pomona, CA. Encinas is named on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles website as a cleric with “substantiated” allegations of sexual misconduct with a child followed by removal from the clerical state.
Encinas is now listed as working for Tri-City Mental Health Center in Pomona. He is also credentialed through the State of California.
We want to know whether the Archdiocese shared their information with Tri-City Mental Health and if Tri-City is aware of the allegations of misconduct for which Encinas was removed? Even more important, how does the State of California conduct background checks on individuals who apply to become licensed therapists? Do background checks involve cross-checking of diocesan abusive clergy lists? If not, it should.
Accused perpetrators who have escaped criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitations will often fall back on their fields of knowledge and degrees to find employment in social services. As we well know, social service agencies work with vulnerable children and adults.
SNAP also wants to know what information the Archdiocese provides to prospective employers about “credible” child sex abuse allegations against current or former Archdiocesan priests? Encinas apparently relied on his authority to abuse others and now he is once again in an authoritative role with vulnerable people.
Andrew Gabriel Encinas was ordained in 1990 and he reportedly resigned his priesthood in 1998 and was laicized in 2010.
CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager ([email protected], 267-261-0578), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
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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