Victims blast Detroit archdiocese

March 13, 2019

Victims blast Detroit archdiocese

They ‘out’ 30 more priests publicly accused of abuse

Most have received little or no attention in Michigan

The clerics primarily abused elsewhere but were also here

Group says local church officials are being 'reckless & secretive’

SNAP: “They put kids at risk by not giving names of ALL predators”

WHAT

Holding signs at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will disclose the names of 30 publicly accused child molesting clerics who

---are or were in the Detroit area but

---are NOT on the Detroit archdiocese’s list of ‘credibly accused' clerics, and

---have received little no public or media attention in Michigan.

They will also

--urge Detroit Catholic officials to give more details about ALL accused priests, and

--beg anyone ‘who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover ups’ to call law enforcement and their support group

WHEN

Wednesday, March 13 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE

Outside the Detroit archdiocesan headquarters,12 State St. (corner of Griswold) in Detroit

WHO

Two-three members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) including a Missouri man who was the group’s former long time executive director

WHY

1) A few weeks ago, the Midwest Jesuit Province released names of 'credibly accused' abusers.

http://image.jesuits.org/MIDWESTPROV/media/All_Pastoral_Assignments_of_Jesuits_on_Midwest_Jesuits-12-17-18_List_posted_21_Dec_2018.pdf

Eleven of them spent time in the Detroit archdiocese but are NOT on Detroit’s list of 'credibly accused' clerics: Fr. Harry J. Barton, Fr. David C. Bayne, Fr. Ignatius M. Burrill, Fr. James A. Condon, Fr. Michael E. Dorrler, Fr. Mark A. Finan, Fr. James F. Gates, Fr. J. Robert Koch, Fr. Phillip T. Mooney, Fr. Wilton L. Skiffington and Fr. Charles E. Sullivan.

https://www.aod.org/our-archdiocese/protecting-children/investigations/clergy-accused-of-abuse/

SNAP has also discovered and is disclosing names and information about 19 other publicly accused abusive clerics who also spent time in the Detroit area. They too have also been omitted from the Detroit archdiocesan “accused” list.

--Fifteen are Capuchins: Fr. Arthur Cooney, Fr. Leopold Gleissner, Fr. Matthew Gottschalk, Fr. Clarence Rudolph Grosser, Fr. Donald (John Baptist) Kurcz, Fr. Mathew Anthony Migan, Fr. Austin Schlaefer, Fr. Wendelin (Leslie) Schafer, Fr. Joseph Smetana, Fr. Robert Spader, Fr. Francis Sparacino, Fr. Kenneth Stewart, Fr. James C. Walsh, Fr. James C. Wolf and Fr. Hilary Zach.

http://www.sjpcommunications.org/images/uploads/documents/names061813.pdf

--Two are Sulpicians: Fr. Leonard R. Foisy and Fr. John P. Mcmanus,

--Two are diocesan priests: Fr. John Ambrose Newton of Gallup NM and Fr. James F. Rapp of Salt Lake UT.

For the safety of kids and the healing of victims, SNAP wants all of them to be added, along with every proven, admitted and accused priest, nun, seminarian, brother, monk and church staff member. The group says it’s “the best, quickest way to help kids be safer and help victims feel vindicated.” Their photos, whereabouts and work histories should also be provided, SNAP says

More details about these 30 publicly accused clerics will be provided at the news conference. Most of it comes from BishopAccountability.org and/or AndersonAdvocates.com and/or court records and/or mainstream media stories.

2) SNAP is also urging all victims, witnesses and whistle blowers to “protect kids, expose wrongdoers, deter cover ups and get healing by seeking help from independent sources like police, therapists and support groups like ours.” The group especially encourages those with information or suspicions about clergy sex crimes and cover ups to call local law enforcement and Michigan’s attorney general who is investigating church officials.

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359--477753--,00.html

3) SNAP is also urging other religious orders to permanently and prominently post on their websites the names, photos, whereabouts and work histories of all proven, admitted and accused abusive clerics.

CONTACT:

David Clohessy 314-443-5915 or 314-566-9790, [email protected], Zach Hiner 517-974-9009, [email protected]

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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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