Accused Catholic Priest Back in Ministry; SNAP Calls Out the Diocese of Wichita
A Wichita Catholic priest who was accused of the sexual exploitation of a child will return to public ministry after the District Attorney said he could not file charges. SNAP is calling out the Diocese of Wichita for putting this cleric back into a position where he may sexually exploit another child.
Father Michael Schemm was placed on administrative leave in November, 2021, after the accusations surfaced. The sexual exploitation reportedly occurred between 1993 and 1996, when the priest was assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita. Under Kansas state law, the statute of limitations expired in 2009. The District Attorney said his decision not to file charges was a legal conclusion, and that he was making "no commentary or conclusions” on the accusations.
The Diocese is not only putting others at risk by returning Fr. Schemm into ministry, but it is also re-traumatizing the brave survivor who came forward, as well as any other victims who may not yet be able to speak out about their abuse. SNAP supports the courageus victim, because we know that studies show false allegations of sexual abuse are extremely rare. As survivors struggle to heal from the trauma of abuse, they are damaged again when their once trusted faith family discounts their truth and their pain.
SNAP provides peer support to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. If you or anyone you know has been harmed by Fr. Schemm, we recommend that you do not suffer in silence. Share your story with family, friends, therapists, law enforcement, and groups like ours.
CONTACTS: Mike McDonnell, Communications Manager ([email protected], 267-261-0578), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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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