NJ- Statement by Mark Crawford of SNAP
Punish Archbishop Myers. That's what Catholic officials must do now.
Explanations, apologies, investigations - that won't cut it.
Myers broke an agreement with prosecutors. He violated the church's abuse policy. He endangered kids. He must be punished.
Otherwise, he and other bishops will keep putting kids in harm's way.
Last year, Kansas City's bishop was found guilty, in criminal court, of a very similar offense - endangering kids by letting a predator be near them. Even after a judge found the bishop guilty, no one in the church hierarchy denounced or disciplined him. Not one bishop uttered a peep. And the wrongdoing by bishops continues.
We predict Myers will apologize. He'll "lawyer up." He'll promise to do better. He'll pick some ex-prosecutor to look at his abuse policies.
But we've been down that road, time and time again. Words and promises and church investigations don't protect kids.
Punishing those who commit and conceal and enables abuse protects kids.
How Myers is punished matters less. That Myers is punished matters most.
So we call on the National Review Board and on the top Catholic official in the US, Cardinal Dolan, to back up their promises with firm action now.
Mark Crawford
New Jersey SNAP Director
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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