Pope sends archbishop to Chile to investigate Bishop Juan Barros, SNAP responds
For immediate release Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of California, Volunteer Member of SNAP’s Board of Directors (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The Vatican announced this morning that Archbishop Charles Scicluna would travel to Chile "to listen to those who have expressed the desire to provide elements" about the allegations against Bishop Juan Barros.
http://www.wral.com/pope-sends-sex-crimes-expert-to-chile-to-investigate-bishop/17299960/
SNAP, the Survivors Network, regrets that Pope Francis did not take this step before he publicly accused the victims of Father Fernando Karadima of slander. We will never know how many survivors will continue to suffer alone and in silence because the pope’s harsh words about “proof” discouraged them from speaking up. There is rarely any evidence, other than the testimony of the victims, for crimes which are committed in secret.
It is certainly progress for the Vatican to undertake its first full-blown investigation of an alleged cover up of child sexual abuse by a high ranking Church official. However, we can only hope that Archbishop Scicluna will provide a just resolution to the allegations against Bishop Barros.
Internal investigations, where those looking into the allegations are part of the same institution, are not as likely to engender the same degree of confidence as probes by an independent panel. Earlier this month we urged Pope Francis to set up such a group to review the charges against Bishop Barros.
Whether or not the Vatican listens to our suggestion for an independent investigation, we renew our plea for the results of any probe to be made public. Church investigations are normally conducted in complete secrecy. Where faith in a religious institution has been broken and betrayed, as is the case when children are sexually molested by priests, the only hope of restoring some measure of trust is complete transparency.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
CONTACT
Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, [email protected]), or Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Executive Director (314-503-0003, [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
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