SNAP applauds the powerful impact statement as a Former Franciscan Friar is sentenced in Ohio
According to reports, Morrier was a Franciscan friar assigned to the university back in 2010. He is accused of committing sex crimes against the young woman between 2010 and 2013. The acts were done in the name of religion and took place in a confessional, in a room in the Finnegan Fieldhouse, chapels, and Morrier's office, and included acts termed exorcism under church law.
We stand in solidarity and loudly applaud the brave woman who confronted her abuser, face to face, in the court of law and powerfully delivered a victim’s impact statement directly to her abuser. "I've lost the last 12 years of my life to him, the third-order regular Franciscans and Franciscan university,” the victim said in court Friday. While we would rather see a more punitive sentence for these crimes, we are grateful that this predator will be known for life as a sex offender and follow every rule and regulation under those terms beginning today.
To us, the strength and fortitude displayed by the victim will certainly help others who have been assaulted by persons in authority and encourage them to come forward, report the crime to law enforcement and get the help needed. We are in awe of the power she took back today.
We find it downright disgusting that Franciscan University officials played judge and jury by deciding to protect reputations and shield a predator rather than care for a student, a victim of a sexual assault crime. Instead, the abusive shepherd received the care.
CONTACT: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, (636-433-2511, [email protected]), Mike McDonnell, Communications Manager, (267-261-0578, [email protected]) Zach Hiner, Executive Director (517-974-9009, [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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