Catholic Priest has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct thanks to MI Attorney General's Office
A former priest from the Diocese of Marquette is headed to prison after reaching a plea deal with the Michigan Attorney General's Office. We are grateful for this development and hope that this agreement will bring healing to his victims and encourage others who were hurt in the state to come forward and make a report to their attorney general.
Gary Jacobs sexually abused teenagers in the 1980's in the Diocese of Marquette and has been charged with crimes in two different counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We know that the wheels of justice would have never moved if it had not been for the secular investigation launched by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. History has shown us that reporting sexual abuse to authorities first, rather than the employer or institution responsible for the perpetrator, is safer for victims and the community. Hopefully, this news will show other survivors that A.G. Nessel is taking the issue of sexual abuse very seriously and will give them the confidence to speak out.
It is important to note that additional victims came forward when Jacobs was first arrested. When survivors speak out, it demonstrates the power of their courage and strength. Not only have these courageous victims helped one another, but they have also saved other children from harm by taking Jacobs out of the community.
We hope that this case inspires other survivors, witnesses, and whistleblowers to come forward and report what they know about abuse. The Michigan Attorney General's confidential hotline is 1-844-324-3374.
CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]) , Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [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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