SNAP Hands Out Leaflets On Investigation Into Pastor Outside St. Alphonsus
By Nancy Harty
October 12, 2014
(CBS) — Priest sex abuse survivors leafleted outside a Catholic church on Chicago’s North Side Sunday to draw attention to an ongoing investigation, reports WBBM’s Nancy Harty.
Many parishioners at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lakeview didn’t know about a Cook County Sheriff Department’s investigation into the parish’s pastor, according to Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests spokeswoman Kate Bochte.
“We’re here to clear the record that the investigation [into] Michael O’Connell, as far as the criminal investigation, is still open and ongoing,” Bochte said.
A handful of SNAP members passed out flyers outlining the sheriff’s investigation that began in December and ended in April after police were unable to support any charges. A review by the Archdiocese also failed to substantiate claims against O’Connell, so he was reinstated.
However, another man came forward in April to say he witnesses abuse of a child by O’Connell. The sheriff’s office has reopened its investigation.
Click here to read more.
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 3 comments
Some of the parishioners who came out of church were stumped that they thought the case against the priest over until they read our leaflets.