AK--Allegations of abuse at Orthodox school
For immediate release: Friday, January 16, 2015
Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga CA,Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A new website makes serious allegations of abuse at an Orthodox school in Kodiak.
So far on the site seven former students have described their experiences at St. Innocent’s Academy. Those statements paint a disturbing picture of physical, psychological and spiritual abuse by the head of the school, Father Paisius De Lucia.
Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, commend these young people for making their allegations public.
“All too often Church authorities quietly ignore allegations of abuse, and more people are hurt,” said Melanie Sakoda of SNAP. “But when victims have the courage to speak out publicly, it makes it very difficult for a cover-up to take place.”
“Criminal behavior is best investigated by the professionals in law enforcement,” continued David Clohessy, the executive director of SNAP. “We hope that anyone who experienced, witnessed, or suspected abuse at the academy will report to the police, get help and begin healing.”
Cappy Larson, also of SNAP, concluded, “We are very grateful to these brave survivors for coming forward and sharing their truth.”
St. Innocent’s Academy is a ministry of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia.
http://www.bulgariandiocese.org/ministries.html
Metropolitan Joseph Bosakov (212-246-4608 Chancery phone & fax, [email protected]) heads the diocese.
Contact - David Clohessy, 314-566-9790, [email protected]; Cappy Larson, 415-252-7969, [email protected]; Melanie Jula Sakoda, 925-708-6175, [email protected]
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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