US clergy sex abuse victims appeal to Catholics worldwide

“Please don’t give a penny to the Pope,” support group pleads

SNAP considers promised papal letter to Ireland to be “more fluff”

And they’re upset that Vatican ignored requests for help with Irish investigation

Self-help organization also supports having similar probes done in other dioceses

Victims believe the real solution is secular authorities “reigning in” the extreme power of bishops

WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, the US’ leading clergy sex abuse advocate will
-- urge Catholics worldwide to donate more generously than ever, but to non-profits that help kids instead of churches that endanger kids,
-- urge secular authorities, in Ireland and elsewhere, to pass and strengthen laws that will enable more civil and criminal legal action against predatory priests and corrupt bishops, and
-- urge victims, witnesses and whistleblowers, in Ireland and elsewhere, to ignore the church hierarchy’s promises and symbolic gestures, and instead contact law enforcement and lawmakers about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

She will also describe American efforts to reform civil and criminal laws to protect kids by deterring future recklessness, deceit and callousness by church officials and exposing dangerous child molesters.

WHEN
Sunday, Dec. 13, 12:15 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the St Mary's Pro Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland

WHO
An American woman and social worker who founded and heads the US’ largest organization of clergy sex abuse victims, called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY
On Friday, the Pope met with two top Irish prelates and promised to write a letter to the Irish people about the church’s sexual abuse and cover up crisis. SNAP is skeptical that such a letter will contain any substantive reforms and will plead with Irish citizens to insist instead on “real reform.”

SNAP opposes seeking a papal apology, papal visit to Ireland and/or a papal meeting with survivors. The group feels, such moves are purely symbolic and only lead to premature complacency and assumptions of reform.

The group supports
- ousting the Irish papal nuncio who ignored a request to help with the Irish government’s abuse probe,
- disciplining Vatican staffers who ignored the government’s request for help and records, and
- launching similar investigations into other dioceses, in Ireland and across the world.
- ousting complicit church officials who ignored or concealed suspicions and knowledge of crimes,

More than two decades of experience has convinced SNAP that the church hierarchy can’t and won’t reform itself. The crux of the crisis is the nearly limitless power of Catholic bishops, which must be ‘reigned in,’ SNAP feels, by more aggressive law enforcement, more child-friendly abuse laws, and more legal opportunities for victims to expose dangerous predators and corrupt bishops in civil courts.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is America’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. It has been around for 21 years and has more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in its title, SNAP helps people who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Its website is SNAPnetwork.org

CONTACT
Barbara Blaine of Chicago IL (USA) 085-1961493 cell, 312 399 4747 cell, Irish Cell 085 196 1493, Barbara Dorris of St. Louis MO (USA) 314 503 0003 cell, David Clohessy of St. Louis MO (USA) 314 566 9790 cell