South American SNAP spokesman comments on new pope
Many bishops in Latin America have covered up and have denied having abuse in their countries. In Chile, the Fr. Karadima case has been one that has unveiled a secret kept by the Catholic hierarchy and that is repeated in many countries in Latin America.
In Chile there are 32 bishops and at least half of them have covered up abuse. Four of them belonged to Karadima's group and witnessed abuse and now deny it. Recently in Chile, a bishop had to resign for child abuse. Another emblematic priest, Cristián Precht, was charged with child abuse in several counts by the Vatican and the Archbishop of Santiago Ezzati gave him just 5 years of penitence and prayer. After the Karadima case people are astonished. They are still not taking it seriously.
It is very difficult in Latin America because of the culture of reverence to the Catholic Church and the power that it has in the region to go against it. In many countries, the Church is associated with the economic power groupsand it is very difficult to bring something up and not have it crushed by judges that are easily dominated by these groups.
There are reports of abuse in several Latin American countries but the power and control that the Church exercises there is so much that they are constantly crushed and denied.
We need a Pope that deals with the powerful and secretive bishops like the ones in Latin America and has the courage to confront them and let so many good priests take the reins of a ship that is sinking in the region.
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 5 comments
I said to the woman who was my sponsor to become a catholic (here in the U.S.), just the other day, that essentially, i do not believe or think that the c. church has ever managed to “do right” by all the catholics of latin america and other poor countries. When I was a young teenager and asked my mother why she didn’t like the c. church, she said “look at mexico” and other countries like it. I see all the beautiful churches filled with relics of gold, and yet all of the people of the church living in dirt and mud houses, nearly always starving. And I also see the priests “demanding” that all the people of the church give the church money, ceaselessly, endlessly. And yet, I see all the people for the most part, continue being poor. And, poverty destroys human life. People do starve to death, people do go without shelter and clothing, because of POVERTY. Why would I or anyone else, think that the catholic church was a good sheppard and wonderful influence and outlet for any people’s religious expression in latin america, if the c. church hasn’t helped “it’s own people” out of poverty, in ALL THESE YEARS???!!! The catholic church should be ashamed of itself for not using the great wealth it has already accumlated, to stem poverty wherever and everywhere the catholic church is located. But they don’t (and it,) doesn’t.
So, this is just one, of the reasons I have not liked the record of the church and priests in Latin America over the years. But, now, you are also telling me that the pedophilia and cover up issue is rammpant there, as well. Oh, woe to all of us.