Survivors Respond: Cardinal McCarrick removed from ministry for allegation of sexual abuse
For immediate release, June 20, 2018, Tim Lennon, President, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), [email protected], 415-312-5820
The former Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, has been removed from ministry in response to allegations he sexually abused a teen.
Cardinal McCarrick is well known to survivors as a person who protected the church hierarchy at the cost of children and minors. He lobbied against reforming the restrictive Statute of Limitation laws, opposed having priests report sexual abuse of children to the police, and criticized victims who delayed reporting because memories of their horrific trauma was repressed.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/legislation/McCarrick_decries_MD.htm
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2006_statements/051606_resignation_cardinal_mccarrick.htm
http://www.snapnetwork.org/survivors_voice/serrano_church_unlikely.htm
Sadly and tragically many victims of child sex abuse bury horrifying memories for years and decades, yet Church officials consistently oppose changing the Statutes of Limitation.
And shame on New Jersey Catholic officials who knew about but kept secret allegations that Cardinal McCarrick sexually assaulted adults and that settlements were paid out as a result. Vulnerable adults suffering from emotional distress and turmoil and seeking counsel from a trusted spiritual advisor can suffer serious harm when the clergyman violates professional boundaries.
https://diometuchen.org/news/show/statement-of-the-most-reverend-james-f-checchio-jcl-mba
The hierarchy needs to take action, not just wring their hands and accept resignations. They need to open the books, name all the clergy who have been convicted, admitted guilt or been credibly accused of sex crimes against children, minors, and vulnerable adults.
We encourage all who have been sexually abused to report to the police. It is never too late for abuse survivors to speak up, get justice, and expose wrongdoers.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world's oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 supporters. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [email protected]), Melanie Sakoda (925-708-6175, [email protected])
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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