Media Statements

The president of a Jesuit university in the Bay Area is under investigation for “alleged misconduct and comments.” We call on university officials to be more transparent regarding the allegations so as to encourage others who may have experienced similar misconduct to come forward.

Yet another report has been released on the scope of Catholic clergy abuse and once again we are reading about Church officials choosing to ignore allegations, transfer abusers, and work to protect reputations at the expense of children and the vulnerable. What is true in Germany is true in the rest of the world and we believe it is incumbent on secular officials everywhere to intervene and investigate in order to end the worldwide problem of clerical sexual violence in Catholic institutions.

Another child molesting Catholic cleric has been quietly added recently to the St. Louis archdiocese’s ‘credibly accused’ abusers list, according to last week’s St. Louis Review, the archdiocesan newspaper.

But that list remains very incomplete and inadequate. For the safety of kids and the healing of victims, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski should honor his pledge to be ‘open’ about abuse and add at least FIVE more names.

The Jesuits have announced that they are opening a fund that will pay descendants of African slaves owned by Georgetown University reparations for horrific multi-generational pain and trauma. No amount of money can reverse this terrible legacy, but doing something like this is the right thing to do. We certainly believe that those harmed through slavery deserve recompense for their pain.

A bill that would give survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to report and seek justice has just passed both chambers and now heads to the governor’s desk. We applaud the legislators and advocates responsible for this important legislation and hope it encourages other states to follow suit.

The local leader for SNAP Houston has been named to the national Board of Directors for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Eduardo Lopez de Casas is an abuse survivor and is very passionate in his advocacy and representation of fellow victims and their experiences.  Almost 50 years ago, Eduardo was sexually abused first by some of his schoolteachers then later by parish clergy. Not knowing what to do, he willingly shared his experiences with friends but sadly, nothing was ever done to pursue those who had violated him until he connected with SNAP where he became the SNAP Leader in Houston Texas. Eduardo’s healing journey is about being able to assist other victims as a SNAP Leader and advocate.

A Polish Cardinal, who was heavily linked to scandal involving the disgraced ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, now faces jail time for allegedly ignoring claims of sexual abuse. This is welcome news and we firmly believe that the only way to end the culture of sexual abuse within the church is to root out and punish those men responsible for ignoring allegations and propagating a culture of silence and deceit.

A lawsuit filed on March 12, 2021, accuses a Catholic priest at Our Lady of the Sea in Staten Island of sexual abuse. In 2019, the pastor of the same parish was sued for sexual abuse. As far as SNAP can tell, the Archdiocese of New York has not informed parishioners about these allegations and both clergymen remain in active ministry.

Research into childhood sexual abuse is clear that most victims take decades to come forward due to myriad factors including shame, self-blame, and fear of reprisal. That is why the Michigan teenager who has filed a lawsuit regarding the sexual abuse he experienced in 2010 at a Lapeer-area Catholic school is so courageous. Due to his bravery and willingness to come forward, we believe others may be spared the pain of childhood sexual abuse.

A second lawsuit has been filed alleging that a prominent Brooklyn bishop abused a child while working as a priest in New Jersey. We hope that the filing of this complaint will help provide hope and healing to this survivor and that it will also inspire others who have been hurt to come forward and make a report.