Rome- Burke's demotion validates victims
For immediate release Friday, October 17, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
The most controversial Vatican prelate, Cardinal Raymond Burke, confirmed publicly for the first time the rumors that he had been told Francis intended to demote him.
In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Burke said “I very much have enjoyed and have been happy to give this service, so it is a disappointment to leave it.” Burke said, however, that he hadn’t yet received a formal notice of transfer.
When this officially happens, it will be a validation for hundreds of clergy sex abuse victims - in Wisconsin, Missouri and elsewhere - who have suffered because Burke acted so recklessly, callously and deceitfully in pedophile priest cases.
Burke has been an outspoken radical conservative taking very controversial positions, like refusing to attend a fund raiser for a children’s hospital because of the beliefs of one performer.
In some cases, Francis moves decisively, demoting the "Bishop of Bling," a controversial South American prelate, and now, a Cardinal whose views contradict his own. But when it comes to the rape of children, he has belatedly and partially set up a committee and made vague pledges.
The message is clear: following “corporate policy” is important but endangering children is less so.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 25 years and have more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [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