Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

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More churches file lawsuit against Gov. Ferguson over new mandatory child abuse reporting law

June 17, 2025

Orthodox Church in America KXLY.com June 16, 2025 By Misti Reed SPOKANE, Wash. -- New court filings show several Orthodox churches and a priest are suing the state of Washington and Governor Bob Ferguson over a newly implemented law that requires clergy to report suspected child abuse. The plaintiffs include Orthodox Church in America, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and Timothy Wilkinson. They join Catholic bishops who have already sued the state.

NJ Supreme Court Allows Grand Jury Investigation into Catholic Church to Proceed; SNAP elated

June 16, 2025

For immediate release: June 16, 2025 The New Jersey State Supreme Court ruled today that a grand jury may examine accusations of Catholic clergy sexually abusing children. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is elated with this decision. Mark Crawford, SNAP’s New Jersey leader, said, “Decades of crimes against children will finally be exposed.” Time and again, it seems to us, that the only path towards transparency when dealing with the abuse of children by Catholic priests and staffers is through the free press and the secular courts. In fact, at every turn, powerful Church officials, with millions of dollars at their disposal to hire the best law firms, oppose the very openness they pledged in 2002 in the Dallas Charter. Hundreds of priests have already been identified as abusers because of the courage of survivors. According to the Pew Research Center, New Jersey is one of four states where Catholics made up a plurality of the population. We believe that a robust, subpoena-driven grand jury investigation in the style of Pennsylvania’s may well expose hundreds more perpetrators, and will make the New Jersey Catholic Church a safer place for today’s children.

Cindy Clemishire and her father file a lawsuit; SNAP believes their action will help to protect other children

June 13, 2025

For immediate release: June 13, 2025 Cindy Clemishire, who accused Robert Morris of child sexual abuse, and her father have filed a lawsuit against the former pastor, his wife and several current and former Gateway church leaders. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, believes that their action will help to protect today's and future children. We stand with Cindy and her father in their fight for justice and accountability. To us, the fact that Cindy’s father is part of this lawsuit highlights an important element of the sexual abuse of children by religious leaders that is often overlooked: the entire family is harmed, not just the victim. We hope that the elder Clemishire gains a measure of healing by participating in this process.

St. Ignatius College Prep accused of retaliation for abuse report: SNAP responds

June 11, 2025

For immediate release: June 10, 2025 SF Gate reported today that a former longtime teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School filed a lawsuit last week accusing the school of firing him for reporting another teacher’s "alleged sexual misconduct." SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is very disturbed by the claims in the complaint. Ted Curry worked in the drama department at St. Ignatius from 2000 until his termination on February 11th. The lawsuit claims that the school retaliated against Mr. Curry because his 2006 report on another drama teacher, Peter Devine, revealed that the school had “covered up” the accusation. Mr. Curry’s 2006 report resurfaced when a former St. Ignatius student accused Mr. Devine of sexually abusing him in 1996. During the school’s internal investigation into that accusation, Mr. Curry informed the investigator about his report. Following this disclosure, the suit claims St. Ignatius began to retaliate against Mr. Curry “almost immediately.” The student accusing Mr. Devine of sexual abuse in 1996 subsequently filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court in 2023. Mr. Curry is expected to testify in the trial on Sept. 9th.

SNAP to present new whistleblower documents concerning Pope Leo’s role in abuse cover-up at May 20th press conference in Chicago

May 19, 2025

Mounting evidence points to pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims across Leo’s ecclesiastical career CHICAGO, IL – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 1 E. Wacker Dr. (the Izard Room) in Downtown Chicago, to present new evidence concerning Pope Leo XIV and his alleged involvement in the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse cases during his previous roles in the Catholic Church.

MEDIA ADVISORY: SNAP Press Event Tomorrow (5/7) in Rome

May 06, 2025

Next pope likely to have covered up sex crimes: New whistleblower docs show liberal and conservative candidates involved in abuse cover-ups Global survivors will unveil a 100-day roadmap for the next pope to solve the clergy abuse crisis on Thursday ROME, ITALY — As the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), ConclaveWatch.org, and survivor leaders from across the globe are sounding the alarm: the next pope is almost certain to have covered up clergy abuse. He will also appoint others with similar records to key Vatican positions.

Abuse survivors to reveal new evidence on papal candidates at Rome press conference ahead of conclave

April 29, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2025 The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Wednesday, April 30 at 11:00am to announce new information gathered as part of SNAP’s new Conclave Watch initiative including updates to previously filed Vos Estis Lux Mundi reports as well information gathered on other potential papal candidates and cardinal electors. “Since we started the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors around the world have reached out to us with information about Catholic cardinals. We’ve heard from victims and advocates from Fiji, Tonga, Belgium, France, South Africa, Malawi, France, Italy, Canada, and all over the United States. Abuse survivors do not want to see another conclave that elects a pope who has shielded and covered up for clergy offenders,” said Sarah Pearson, a SNAP spokesperson.

Take Action and Stop Child Sexual Abuse

If you see child sexual abuse, or have a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse or your child has been sexually abused, call 911 or your local police immediately.

If you suspect abuse, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit the Child Help Hotline. Trained crisis operators staff the lines 24/7 to answer your questions. If necessary, they will show you how to report in your local area.

Child pornography is a federal crime. If you see or suspect images that may be child pornography, report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTip Line.

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