SNAP blasts bishop for obstructing criminal trial
Shame on West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield. In a blatant rebuke to a judge and prosecutors, Bransfield is refusing to send one of his top aides to a criminal child sex abuse and cover up trial in Philadelphia. (Reportedly, Bransfield claims the trial appears to be evolving into a circus.)
The official is Fr. Kevin Quirk, who supposedly was involved in child sex allegations against a Philly priest.
Quirk’s been asked to testify in the high profile case involving Msgr. William Lynn, whose unprecedented trial is happening now. (Lynn’s accused of endangering kids by ignoring and concealing known and suspected clergy child sex crimes. It’s the first time in the US that a high-ranking member of the Catholic hierarchy has faced such charges and could wind up in prison)
So remember this situation when you next hear bishops, in child sex cases, pledging that they’ve “learned” and are “reforming.” A sitting US bishop is arrogantly rebuffing efforts by a judge and prosecutors to resolve a pending criminal trial.
In addition, according to CBS news in Philly, “another witness is expected to testify Wednesday that Bransfield also brought boys to an infamous farm where (a Philly priest) allegedly raped multiple boys. And the prosecutor says they have been notified of another incident of fondling by Bransfield.”
(Note – This intransigence by the Catholic hierarchy is no anomaly. Right now, three catholic officials – a proven predator priest, the bishop’s former second-in-command and Cardinal Roger Mahony – are refusing to show up for an on-going civil child sex abuse and cover up trial in Stockton California.)
Read the story here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120418_Priest_prosecutors_can_t_get_church_judge_as_witness.html?c=r
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 4 comments
Annette Nestler-SNAP Southern New Jersey
609-247-2966
By Mike Ference
Itâs time that Pennsylvania residents demand more protection of their children. The story thatâs coming out of the Philadelphia Archdiocese should be the straw that broke the proverbial camelâs back. Sadly, itâs just one more example of how children in Pennsylvania cry for help but are never heard. Did authorities know? How could they not? I say itâs time to act fast and with a proven strategy and system that Pennsylvania law makers, judges and cops already understand and is already in place.
I suggest we make cash payoffs to politicians, judges and cops to guarantee the protection and safety of our children much like the cash payoffs that have been made for decades to protect illegal gambling operations, prostitution, loan sharking and other criminal enterprises that have flourished in Pennsylvania while so many of our children suffered in silence.
After all, Pennsylvania has garnered an international reputation for being less than vigilante when it comes to protecting Godâs most precious commodity â His children â while political corruption flourishes and is in the media 24/7.
A quick review of the grand jury investigation into the archdiocese of Philadelphia illustrates my first point. Grown men allowed to exploit young and vulnerable children for their own sexual satisfaction while church hierarchy covered up and allowed the crimes to continue for years and in the end, nothing is done.
The number of scoundrels from the ranks of Pennsylvaniaâs legislature and law enforcement, who are either in jail or soon to be, validates my second point.
If criminal enterprises can thrive by passing an envelope stuffed with cash to an all too willing politician, judge or cop, maybe we can use the same incentive to protect our children. Sadly, it may be our only choice.