Damning Report on Clergy Abuse and Cover-up in the UK Released, SNAP Calls for Resignation of UK Cardinal
A damning report into the extent of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church was released today in the United Kingdom. Now, we call on Church leaders in the UK, starting with the Cardinal, to resign in recognition of their failures and so that a safer Church for children and the vulnerable can be created.
The final report released by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) shows that the Catholic “playbook” to avoid abuse scandals is used around the globe, to the detriment of children and families. What was uncovered in places like Pennsylvania, Boston, Ireland, Australia, and elsewhere has now been found to be true in the UK as well: Catholic officials actively worked to protect their reputations first and children and the vulnerable second.
The numbers from this report are shocking: more than 3,000 instances of abuse between 1975 and 2015 have been reported, and more than 900 abusers have been identified. Given what we know about the nature of sexual abuse, we fear that there are more victims suffering silently. We especially worry that there are children or vulnerable adults today who are being abused by someone who is supposed to love and watch over them.
Now that this shocking report is public, we hope that it will lead to immediate change. We firmly believe that if this scandal is to be brought under control it will be because of punishments and resignations, not apologies and promises to change. Cardinal Vincent Nichols should resign his post immediately and Catholics in the UK should demand that they be led by someone who was not specifically called out by their government for refusing to take steps to prevent future cases of abuse. In this case, Cardinal Nichols has provided an example of exactly how NOT to lead and the Vatican should demand his resignation today.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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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