IL-"Don't deport predator priest," SNAP says
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 9
Statement by Barbara Dorris Outreach director for SNAP 314-862-7688 [email protected]
We oppose deporting Fr. Alejandro Flores, a proven predator. Kids in Bolivia are even more vulnerable to this criminal than kids are in the US.
We realize that this is a controversial position to take. But we believe Fr. Flores should be kept in the US and forced by his church supervisors to live indefinitely in a remote, secure, independently-run treatment center where he’ll be kept away from children. That’s what’s best for children.
Deporting him may make some adults feel better. It won’t, however, make any children any safer.
Catholic church officials have moved pedophile priests from parish to parish, diocese to diocese, and increasingly from country to country. They do seemingly anything to give predator priests a fresh start and absolve themselves from any oversight role. In this case, they shouldn't be allowed to deny responsibility for a problem they helped create, by recruiting, educating, hiring, training, moving and protecting a child molesting cleric.
At least here in the US, Fr. Flores will be on the sex offender registry. At least here, more parents will be aware of his criminal past. At least here, the clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis is more widely understood, so more adults will be skeptical of Fr. Flores when he tries to babysit for neighbor children or get hired by a school.
And if Fr. Flores stays in the US, there’s a better chance that others who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes in Joliet will find the strength and courage to report his wrongdoing. When that happens, there’s a better chance that he’ll be charged, convicted and imprisoned again, which will safeguard other kids.
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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