WI- Wisconsin abuse victims push to open files
Wisconsin abuse victims push to open files
Hundreds of pages may implicate NY's Cardinal
Hundreds of clergy sex abuse victims are vowing to push for the disclosure of thousands of pages of secret Catholic Church documents - some of which likely involve then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who now heads the New York Archdiocese - in the wake of failed settlement talks in Milwaukee.
The victims say they will also look closely at millions of dollars which were transferred off the church’s books into trusts - again, largely on Dolan's watch.
"We really have no choice now but to do everything we can to expose the complicity of several top church officials," said John Pilmaier SNAP Wisconsin Director. "The Catholic hierarchy sought bankruptcy protection to keep its secrets secret. But we have a duty to shine the light of truth on the full cover up; by Dolan, Weakland, Sklba and others. The Milwaukee archdiocese has already spent $7.2 million to keep their sex abuse files hidden from Catholics and the community”. Pilmaier adds “with the failed mediation the archdiocese has signaled to victims that they plan to spend whatever it takes to keep the clergy sex abuse cover-up firmly in place”.
Court documents from the Milwaukee bankruptcy case have already revealed that Cardinal Dolan, then Archbishop of Milwaukee, secretly paid sexually abusing priests $20,000 as an incentive for them to voluntarily leave the priesthood.
Victims and Catholics have a right to know what else is hidden in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s secret church files, including now Cardinal Dolan’s role in the decades long Milwaukee sex abuse cover-up.
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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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