Blog
He was the U.S bishops top abuse guy. And he never called the cops.
Not once.
Over a span of 18 years, that's how often the one-time head of the US bishops child sex abuse panel called police about admitted, proven or credibly accused predator priests.
An open letter to the U.S. head of the Marianists:
6/3/14
Dear Fr. Solma
We look forward to the arrival of Fr. Charles H. Miller back in the US.
Everyone got it wrong in Boston rabbi case
By David Clohessy
I feel sorry for headline writers. I really do. They've got so little space to both summarize long stories AND attract readers' attention.
"Twice convicted & put back on the job"
Five years ago, Fr. Norman Rogge died.
This week, BishopAccountability.org posted his work history. Please read just these two sentences about Rogge and let them sink in:
SNAP Leaders Honored
Two weeks ago, New Jersey's attorney general honored our state director Mark Crawford for his tireless work and ceaseless compassion for sex abuse victims. Crawford received the Ronald W. Reagan Award, which is the first of its kind given by the attorney general’s office.
Why Catholic officials are "picked on" about abuse
Fr. John Geoghan may be America's most prolific predator priest, with at least 150 victims over a 36 year clerical career. (He's not, however, the most efficient. That distinction goes to Mexico's Fr. Nicholas Aguilar Rivera who, in just 10 months in Los Angeles, reportedly assaulted 26 kids.)
3 accusers, 1 settlement but he's still a pastor
Almost exactly a decade ago, the case of Fr. Alex Anderson was resolved in the St. Louis archdiocese. Remember this case the next time Pope Francis claims the church gets "picked on" over how it deals with child sex crimes.
"Media bias?"
Catholic officials hastily cry "media bias" at many stories about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
Pope 'recycles' old abuse excuses & defenses. What's next?
The Associated Press' Rome bureau reports that Pope Francis is now “using the defensive rhetoric of the Vatican from a decade ago.”
Religious orders - sometimes "independent," sometimes not
Bishops consistently claim they aren't responsible for child sex crimes and cover ups committed by religious order clerics. "They're totally separate from us," bishops repeatedly say about the Jesuits, Salesians, Benedictines and the like.
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