Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

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Can an American pope do a better job addressing the clergy sex abuse crisis?

May 09, 2025

VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)Boston Globe May 8, 2025 By Joan Vennochi How much the experiences of the US Catholic Church will influence the new pope on this issue is unknown. An American pope was considered a longshot to be selected as a successor to Pope Francis. But now that it has happened, Pope Leo XIV could be the best hope survivors and their advocates have when it comes to getting the Catholic Church to finally address the long-running clergy sexual abuse scandal in a meaningful way.

Only response from Pope Leo XIV on abuse record has been denial

May 10, 2025

ROME, ITALY — The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is dismayed that the recently elected Pope Leo XIV has made no effort to address the ongoing sexual abuse catastrophe in the Catholic Church since his election. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse reached out to the new pope in an open letter released on Thursday, May 8. Thus far, Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican have offered only denials of responsibility for abuse cases that occurred under his authority in prior roles.

Survivors respond to Pope Leo XIV’s election with grave concern about his record managing abuse cases

May 08, 2025

Rome, Italy — As white smoke rises, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) extends its acknowledgment to Pope Leo XIV on the gravity of the role he now assumes. With the title comes a grave reckoning. “We were once the children of the church,” began an open letter released by SNAP earlier this afternoon. “The sex offender in the collar commits two crimes: one against the body, and one against the voice. The grand pageantry around your election reminds us: survivors do not carry the same weight in this world as you do.”

SNAP releases new Conclave Watch profiles and letter to Cardinal Grech following press conference in Rome

April 30, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2025 ROME, ITALY – Following this morning’s press conference, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has announced the addition of several new cardinal profiles to its website, www.conclavewatch.org, and the release of a formal letter addressed to Cardinal Mario Grech. The letter updates SNAP’s previously filed March 25, 2025 Vos Estis Lux Mundi report, citing new church documents provided to SNAP via the international abuse survivors' network.

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.

MEDIA ADVISORY: SNAP Press event in Rome on Tuesday March 25

March 24, 2025

(Rome, Italy) - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00am to release a letter from clergy abuse survivors to Pope Francis. The letter conveys survivors’ urgent appeals to the pope in light of his declining health and the looming transition in church leadership. At the same time, SNAP will announce the first results of its new Conclave Watch initiative—a global vetting process examining the records of potential papal candidates on clergy sexual abuse and their commitment to zero tolerance. As part of the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors will present several complaints made under the pope’s Vos estis lux mundi decree against prominent cardinals in positions of oversight and leadership of the church’s management of clergy sexual abuse.

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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