SNAP is encouraged by new Ohio bishop
Though we know very little about Bishop Monforton, we are encouraged by this selection. We worry when chancery officials – bishops, auxiliary bishops, vicars general, and chancellors – are promoted, because many of them are involved or were involved in covering up child sex crimes. The chances are lower that priests or monsignors (who spent most of their careers outside the chancery) are guilty of this complicity and secrecy. So we’re hopeful when those who are not chancery employees are elevated.
We do worry that he does come from a particularly scandal-ridden archdiocese with 51 proven admitted or publicly accused child molesting clerics. (Twice In the last two months, we’ve had to urge Detroit Catholic officials to warn their flock about two sexually troubled priests who have returned to the Detroit area: Fr. Maurice G. McNeely and Fr. Thomas D. Williams.) Still, a quick on-line search shows no obvious connection between Monforton and any clergy sex abuse and cover up cases.
We hope Bishop Monforton will immediately be more honest about Fr. Gary Zalinski. It’s especially important that parishioners and the public are told where he is and the status of his defrocking. Because of the secrecy of Bishop Conlon and Msgr. Kemo, many don’t realize that the allegations against him have been deemed credible and that the Vatican is working to strip him of his priesthood. Catholics and citizens need and deserve to know the truth about Zalinski. Bishops have promised to be “open and transparent” in child sex cases involving clergy.
This will be Bishop Monforton’s first test of leadership in Steubenville – will he depart from the dangerous secrecy of his predecessor and “come clean” about Zalinski or will he continue that dangerous secrecy?
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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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