Chaput takes over; SNAP begs for continued vigilance
Philly citizens have a simple choice – vigilance or complacency. We hope they’ll choose vigilance.
They can assume that Chaput will be less reckless, callous and deceitful with clergy sex crimes and cover ups than Rigali. Or they can keep open minds and wait to see how Chaput actually handles cases.
And we should remember that the cover up of heinous child sex crimes in Philly isn’t the work of one man. For decades, a long-standing and unhealthy climate and culture of secrecy surrounding child abuse has built up in Philly. No one man can reverse that.
Rigali has set the expectations bar extraordinarily low. By smiling and giving a few media interviews, Chaput already seems more likeable. But a somewhat more likeable demeanor doesn’t protect kids.
More outgoing church officials hide child sex crimes as well or better than more reclusive ones. Kids are safer when Catholic authorities take decisive action, not when they work hard to come across as friendly.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 23 years and have more than 10,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]), Peter Isely (414-429-7259, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [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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This morning I drove for 3 hours to be in Philly for a demonstration outside the Cathedral — holding a sign of a victim of clergy abuse — just to “remind people” that victims are still present, still suffering, and many still struggling with the realization that they were abused. As I stood in the drizzling rain for over two hours several priests walked past me repeatedly. Each time I would say, “Good afternoon, father!” NOT ONE OF THEM EVEN LOOKED AT ME NOR SPOKE TO ME. I guess even though I am a priest, and a victim of abuse, I am not worth recognizing. So much for the “brotherly love” of the clergy….
Will things change in Philly with Chaput a the helm. To tell the truth, I don’t place any hope in seeing any changes. I’d like to, but I just don’t see it happening.