MO-Priest is 9th local cleric accused of child porn; SNAP responds
In 2011, when he was suspended, Archbishop Robert Carlson’s public relations team said Fr. William Vatterott was accused of “inappropriate electronic communications.” Now, Fr. Vatterrott has been charged with child porn.
According to BishopAccountability.org, at least eight other current or former local clerics have been accused of possessing child porn or showing porn to kids (Fr. James Beine, Fr. Bruce Forman, Fr. William Christensen, Fr. James Funke, Fr. James Patrick Grady, Fr. John Hess, Fr. Gerhardt Lehmkuhl and seminarian Nicholas Pinkston).
Yet a quick search of the archdiocesan website shows just three mentions of “child pornography” (and one was just added yesterday when charges against Fr. Vatterott were disclosed).
We hope that someday Catholic officials will stop using euphemisms like “inappropriate conduct” and “boundary violations” and start being more honest.
It’s hard to believe they are trying to reform when they deliberately use vague minimizing words for these heinous crimes.
To read more: http://stlouisreview.com/article/2011-07-01/archdiocese-releases
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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