Media Statements

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.

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.

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.

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.

For immediate release, September 26, 2018

Zach Hiner, Executive Director, [email protected], (517) 974-9009 

Since she first came forward with allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of the current nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States, Christine Blasey-Ford has been the subject of news reports, internet comment threads, and dinner table conversations around the country. The subject of many of those conversations or think-pieces has been less about what Brett Kavanaugh allegedly did to Dr. Blasey-Ford (and potentially several other women) and more about why Dr. Blasey-Ford is coming forward now, what she has to gain from making her allegations public and whether or not she is a liar.

Statement regarding the exposure of secret archives in Buffalo

For immediate release, September 25, 2018

Zach Hiner, Executive Director, [email protected], (517) 974-9009 

Today’s revelations from CNN regarding secret records of abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo underscore exactly why we believe it is critical that all states empanel independent investigations into cases of institutional abuse.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/25/us/buffalo-bishop-catholic-diocese-sex-abuse/index.html 

For immediate release, September 23, 2018

Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, [email protected], 415-312-5820

We commend Michigan's Attorney General for initiating an investigation of the seven Catholic dioceses in that state. Such an effort will give voice to the hundreds of victims who have been hurt, many of whom have suffered in silence for decades. A thorough investigation will provide an opportunity for victims to achieve a measure of justice by holding predators and their enablers accountable.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/michigan-attorney-general-launches-investigation-into-7-dioceses/1463982611

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_88424---,00.html

For immediate release, September 21, 2018

Statement by Tim Lennon, President of SNAP, [email protected], 415-312-5820

Last month the explosive Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report exposed that, despite the promises of 2002, the Catholic hierarchy was still covering up for sexual "predators."  

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/report/

This damning Report has had Bishops across the country scrambling to respond to angry parishioners and public outrage. The empty gestures that have been produced so far fall into three categories.

Response #1: Create New Policies

Yesterday the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced new initiatives, including a “Code of Conduct,” additional administrative oversight, and an investigation into the "situation" surrounding Archbishop McCarrick. 

http://www.usccb.org/news/2018/18-152.cfm