PA - Group praises Philly victim's parents for speaking up
For immediate release: Wednesday October 23, 2013
Statement by Barbara Blaine of SNAP, 312 399 4747, [email protected]
We applaud this victim’s brave family for speaking up and hope their courage prods others who are suffering in silence to step forward.
It’s tough for anyone to talk about child sex crimes. It must be especially tough doing that when you have just lost a child because of the horror of such crimes. Still, it is clear that this family has chosen to step forward in the hopes of saving kids who might be abused in the future and in the hopes of helping adults who have been abused in the past.
They should be praised for taking this difficult but responsible and caring step.
Why aren’t Archbishop Charles Chaput and other catholic officials joining this grieving family in begging others who saw suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups to step forward? Why does Chaput continue to hide behind his expensive defense lawyers and shrewd public relations professionals? Why won’t he act like a true shepherd and personally go to every parish where Fr. Brennan worked, strongly urge those with suspicions or knowledge of the allegations against Fr. Brennan to pick up the phone and call 911?
Please, if you were hurt, let his brave family’s compassion move you to break your silence and get help. If you might be able to share even a scintilla of information about clergy sexual misdeeds - however slight, old or seemingly insignificant it might be – with law enforcement, please act with generosity and courage now, so that others might be spared decades of pain.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
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
Showing 3 comments
“Where is the statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its leadership regarding the unfortunate and heart-breaking passing of this young man, who suffered a lifetime of torment as a result of sexual abuse?
His family has spoken out today in the midst of their grief and suffering. When will our Catholic religious leaders do the same if only to express their condolences and prayers to the victim and his family?"
Michael Skiendzielewski
Captain (Retired)
Philadelphia Police Dept.