Media Statements
We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).
San Diego Priest Suspended following Credible Accusations of Abuse, SNAP calls for AG Investigation
A priest from the Diocese of San Diego has been suspended following credible accusations of abuse. According to the Times of San Diego, Fr. Justin Langille has been removed from his posts in San Carlos and Tierrasanta.
Diocese of Harrisburg Washes Hands of Laicized Priests instead of Protecting the Public
In August, the Diocese of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania told the public that they knew where accused predator priests were and that they had given that information they had to law enforcement officials. Today it appears that the information they had was actually precious little information since Diocesan officials have now come out and said they don’t actually know where all of their accused priests are.
Fr. Manuel LaRosa-Lopez Heads to Court and SNAP asks Cardinal DiNardo to be Considerate of Victims
On Tuesday, an accused predator priest will be in court again, facing charges that he abused at least two children while serving in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (with another survivor having recently come forward, but not yet filed charges). But before Fr. Manuel LaRosa-Lopez returns to court, we call on Houston’s top Catholic official to take steps to avoid potentially intimidating or hurting more victims.
Florida launches statewide criminal investigation into sexual abuse by priests
For immediate release: October 4, 2018
We are thrilled to hear that the Florida Attorney General’s office has launched a statewide criminal investigation regarding sexual abuse by priests. Investigations like these – fully independent and backed by subpoena power – are the best way to get the truth regarding sex abuse scandals and cover-ups and we support the action today by AG Pam Bondi.
A New Victim in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Steps Forward
Another victim has come forward to the police alleging sexual assault by Father Manuel Larosa-Lopez while the survivor was an altar boy in the early to mid 1990’s while Fr. LaRosa-Lopez was in seminary. At the time of the abuse, the victim reported the abuse to the local supervising priest but no action was taken to remove Fr. LaRosa-Lopez from the seminary. Instead, Fr. LaRosa-Lopez was ordained into ministry.
Seven Dioceses in Michigan Served with Search Warrants
Yesterday, investigators and law enforcement empowered by Michigan’s Attorney General Bill Schuette served search warrants at seven dioceses across the state, seizing misconduct records and other files related to potential abuse and cover-up cases.
This kind of action is exactly what we mean when we call for independent investigations. Rather than hoping for a voluntary release of files, Schuette compelled their release and in doing so ensured that he received all records, not just those that officials had deemed OK to be released. Given that the latter has been seen as recently as two weeks in Buffalo, it is understandable why AG Schuette chose to execute his warrants this way.
The Problem with the Chilean Conduct Guidelines
Yesterday, the Catholic Church in Chile formally apologized for a set of published conduct guidelines for priests on interacting with children. Not only were the guidelines themselves tone-deaf at best – for example, by explaining that priests should not take naked pictures of children because “they could be misinterpreted” – but they were written and signed by Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, a man who is under investigation by Chilean prosecutors for his role in covering up sexual abuse.
Prosecutors believe Houston Priest may have more victims, SNAP responds
For immediate release, October 2 2018
A Houston-area priest was recently arrested for sexual abusing a child. Reports from the AP and other news outlets show that the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston had been specifically warned about Fr. Manuel LaRosa-Lopez. Unfortunately, those warnings went unheeded.
SNAP Responds to the Defrocking of Fr. Fernando Karadima by Pope Francis
For immediate release, September 28, 2018
Statement by Zach Hiner, Executive Director, [email protected], (517) 974-9009
Today, Pope Francis took the long overdue step of formally laicizing Fr. Fernando Karadima and removing him from his ecclesiastical status. While we hope that this measure provides some small support the survivors of Fr. Karadima, we also recognize that this move comes about seven years after Fr. Karadima was found guilty, in a Vatican tribunal, of abusing dozens of children.
If Pope Francis truly wants to do what is best for survivors of sexual abuse, he cannot continue to self-investigate allegations of abuse and then wait for years, and in some cases decades, to take action against priests who have been credibly accused. This is compounded by the fact that Pope Francis himself has admitted errors into his own investigation into the Chilean church. We can only assume that similar errors have been made in dioceses around the world.
Letter to Missouri Governor Parson
Governor Parson
State of Missouri
Dear Governor Parson,
As you know, our Attorney General Josh Hawley is looking into clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Missouri Catholic Church. He maintains he can only ask for the voluntary cooperation of the same Church officials who have hidden those crimes for decades.
However, according to Mr. Hawley, you can change this. You can order him to obtain full criminal jurisdiction and use this power to conduct a genuine, thorough inquiry that will expose wrongdoers and protect kids. We beg you to do this immediately.