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French archbishop appoints chancellor convicted of abuse

The Basilica of St. Sernin in Toulouse, France, pictured in a file photo, is a stop along the Way of St. James. French Archbishop Guy de Kerimel of Toulouse defended his appointment of a priest convicted of sexually abusing a minor as diocesan chancellor, saying that he had "chosen the path of mercy." (OSV News photo/Russell F. Evans) OSV News July 10, 2025 By Junno Arocho Esteves   (OSV News) — French Archbishop Guy de Kerimel of Toulouse defended his appointment of a priest convicted of sexually abusing a minor as diocesan chancellor, saying that he had “chosen the path of mercy.” The June 2 appointment of Father Dominique Spina gained widespread attention in the country after the French daily, La Dépêche du Midi, noted the priest’s 1993 conviction for sexually abusing a 16-year-old high school student, for which he was given a five-year prison sentence. “It is true that Father Spina served a five-year prison sentence, including one suspended year, for very serious acts that took place nearly 30 years ago,” Archbishop de Kerimel said in a statement to Agence-France Presse, which was published July 7 by the French newspaper Le Monde.  Archbishop de Kerimel added that Father Spina “no longer exercises a pastoral role,” with the exception of “celebrating the Eucharist, alone or exceptionally, for the faithful.” “Considering that we have nothing to reproach this priest for in the last 30 years for acts liable to be subject to judicial, canonical, or civil proceedings, I have therefore chosen to appoint him to this administrative position,” the archbishop said. 

Accused Greek Orthodox Metropolitan dies; SNAP stands with the victim

For immediate release: July 7, 2025 Metropolitan Athenagoras Aneste, former Greek Metropolitan of Mexico and Vize, died on July 1, 2025. His funeral service will be held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois, on July 9th. As best as SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, can tell, the metropolitan will be buried with all the honors accorded a clergyman in good standing. Our hearts break for John Metsopoulos, who told us in 2022 that he was sexually harassed by the Metropolitan in 2019 in Mexico. John also reported ongoing physical and psychological abuse from 2017 to 2019. In addition to the harm he suffered personally, John said that he had direct knowledge of fraud by the metropolitan. SNAP had received similar accusations against Metropolitan Aneste years earlier from a now deceased Orthodox priest who worked in Haiti, Fr. Michael Graves. Studies show that false claims of abuse are extremely rare. We also know that adults abused by clergy can suffer significant harm. Moreover, John is a former Connecticut state representative (132nd district, 1984-94), as well as a former first selectman (mayor) of Fairfield, Connecticut (1999-2003). He comes from a devout family long involved with the Greek Orthodox Church. It looked like John’s accusations against Metropolitan Aneste, while never directly acknowledged or addressed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, had borne fruit early last year, when a new metropolitan was elected for Mexico. Metropolitan Athenagoras became the head of the Metropolis of Vize, Turkey. These changes were made under the leadership of Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (Dimitrios Archontonis). According to Pew Research, the Orthodox population of Mexico is 110,000. There are almost no Greek Orthodox faithful in Turkey. Politico noted in 2020 that even the larger city of Istanbul numbered no more than 600 families. So, this appeared to be a significant demotion. It seems to us that being moved to a much smaller metropolis in the wake of accusations is very similar to the practice of shuffling accused priests from place to place that has been employed by the Catholic Church. 

Diocese of Fresno finally files for bankruptcy; SNAP questions the timing

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2025 After announcing their intention to file for bankruptcy last May, the Diocese of Fresno finally did so today. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, wonders at the timing. Just yesterday, liaison counsel for the plaintiffs in the coordinated NorCal clergy cases, Rick Simons of Furtado, Jaspovice and Simmons ([email protected], 510-917-2169), made a motion asking the court to sanction the diocesan attorney, Mart Oller, for the unacceptable delay in starting the bankruptcy process. Attached to the motion was Rick's Declaration, an 83-page document, including 12 Exhibits.  At the time of the initial bankruptcy announcement, there was a global mediation in progress between the Diocese and its survivors, and twelve cases had been identified for bellwether trials. The announcement disrupted the progress of the mediation, even without ever being filed. Plaintiffs’ attorneys suspect that the Diocese may have used the delay to move assets, thus protecting them from distribution to survivors of child sexual abuse. If true, the final payouts for these heinous crimes will be correspondingly reduced. Delaying the settlement of lawsuits is a well-known tactic of the Catholic Church. When the Diocese announced its intention to file for bankruptcy last year, SNAP issued this statement, outlining the downside of this decision for survivors, particularly for those who are too young to come forward before the deadline to file claims closes. We stand by it.  In addition, the life-long impact of child sexual abuse already makes victims more at risk of an early death than the general population, and delayed disclosure means that many of the survivors who filed lawsuits in the recent civil window are likely to be older in any case. Out of the 153 victims who filed lawsuits against Fresno, Rick's declaration includes information about the death of three of them in Exhibit 12. We suspect that more deaths have occurred. SNAP believes that this is exactly why the Church drags its feet in resolving these cases. For every victim that is no longer alive, information about their abusers and the enablers may be lost, and the subsequent settlements are, again, likely to be less. Karen Lowart's son Jason, who was sexually abused by Fr. Donald Flickinger, when Jason was only 4 years old, is among those who did not live to see even a small measure of justice. Jason died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on November 5, 2023, and Karen reached out to SNAP shortly after. The bereaved mother came into possession of a chilling video earlier this year that supports Jason’s outcry against the clergyman. Jason' death certificate is among the three included in Rick's Exhibit 12. He was only 27 at the time of his death. 

California Catholic priest arrested for sexual crimes against children; survivors group hopes that the victims will finally see justice

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2025 On June 12, 2025, a Catholic priest from San Diego was arrested for the sexual assault of three children. The crimes occurred over 30 years ago. From 1991 through 1999, the clergyman reportedly brought the children, who were all under 14 years old, to the Central Coast. He is accused of committing oral copulation on all three and sodomy on one. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful that the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is pursuing this case. We hope that the victims will finally receive a measure of justice through the courts for all their years of suffering. The accused,  Fr. Theodore Edward Gabrielli, worked at churches, schools, and ministries in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Angeles. His past assignments include Most Holy Trinity Parish in San Jose, Dolores Mission in Los Angeles, and Social Ministries in Los Gatos. Prior to his arrest, the clergyman was a member of the Loyola High School of Los Angeles' Board of Directors.  He was also working with the Dolores Mission in Los Angeles. Fr. Gabrielli remains in jail without bail until his arraignment on July 8th.

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

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

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

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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