Australian Cardinal charged with sexual assault, SNAP Australia responds
For immediate release, June 29, 2017
Statement by Steven Spaner, volunteer SNAP Australia coordinator, (+1 636-433-2511), [email protected], www.snapaustralia.org
This is probably the most significant action to be taken on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse EVER. The history of the Catholic Church has been to squelch accusations, hide and shield perpetrators, stonewall inquisitors, and re-abuse victims with ostracization, isolation and counter accusations.
The Victoria and Melbourne law enforcement and investigative officers have shown the care, compassion, and allegiance to truth and duty that NONE of the ranking members and leaders of the Catholic Church has ever done.
SNAP is so proud that they have shown the world that NO ONE is above nor beyond the law. They have shown the preservers of justice and protectors of the vulnerable and innocent around the world what they can and should be doing to protect children and obtain justice for survivors.
It is no small factor that the indictment of the reportedly third ranking Vatican official brings the issue of Church responsibility and Church inaction to the Pope’s doorstep, indeed, to his inner most sacred and canonical chambers. In short, the Pope’s hand has been called. No more feckless investigative, advisory, or action committees formed by this Pope and centuries of Popes. The righteous shall find love, life, prosperity and honor.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org )
Contact Steven Spaner, (+1 636-433-2511, [email protected]), Melanie Jula Sakkoda (+1 925-708-6175, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (+1 314-503-0003, [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
Showing 1 comment
I am anxious to see the team of lawyers that will be assembled to defend the cardinal.