Leadership of Vatican Women’s Magazine Resign Following Attempts to Discredit Them Over Issue of Sexual Abuse by Clergy
The founder and editorial board of a women’s magazine published by the Vatican have resigned following “a campaign to discredit them” that they say increased after they wrote editorials critical of the sexual abuse of nuns by clergy.
In an era where many have called for an increase in women’s voices within the Catholic Church, it is disappointing that the women in charge of “Women Church World” have felt stifled and silenced by the very institution they sought to help improve.
It is also disappointing that, despite powerful rhetoric from Church officials about the need to combat sexual abuse, those who have pushed the Church to continue working on the issue are leaving feeling ostracized and punished.
We hope that, instead of deterring others from speaking up for fear of getting fired or stifled, the example of these brave women will inspire others who want to see change in the church to speak. Those in the US can start by calling on their state’s attorney general to launch investigations into clergy sex crimes.
CONTACT: 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