SNAP calls on Pope Francis to remove convicted Argentinian Bishop from the clerical state

The recently jailed Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta, sentenced to 4 ½ years for abusing two seminarians should be immediately removed from the clerical state. We would not want to see a quiet laicization as we have seen in Italy. To us, it would speak volumes if Pope Francis would put the needs of victims before reputation and do the next right thing.

We urge Pope Francis to begin the canonical process of formally removing Zanchetta from the clerical state since he is now convicted under civil law. To us, witnessing another alarming pattern of delay of removing a prelate is a slap in the face to survivors and empties the words of accountability and transparency.

CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager ([email protected]267) 261-0578 ), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Coordinator ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is www.SNAPnetwork.org


Showing 1 comment

SNAP Network is a GuideStar Gold Participant