CA - Victims blast ongoing LA Catholic secrecy
Los Angeles archdiocesan officials are being accused of defying a judge’s order and withholding records about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
Their strategy has been clear from the outset: at all costs, delay, delay, delay, in the hopes that outrage will subside, victims will give up and their lawyers will walk away. Shame on these Catholic officials. Five years ago, they made a promise to hundreds of victims and thousands of parishioners. But they’ve spent every day since then reneging on that promise. They continue to renege even now.
LA Catholic officials, including Archbishop Gomez, have fought long and hard to keep as many secret as long as possible. We see no evidence that this defiant arrogance and selfishness is changing in any way.
Gomez can say anything he wants about Mahony. But as long as he keeps acting like Mahony, nothing in the archdiocese will change.
What matters is not one symbolic gesture by Gomez about his predecessor. What matters are the practical, daily actions by Gomez about clergy sex crimes and cover up. And on what matters – whether Gomez honors his promises, obeys court orders, and gives crucial information to the public, police and parishioners - Gomez continues to be as disappointing and disingenuous as Mahony.
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