DC Cardinal should resign," Victims and Advocates say
#CatholicToo Movement – Times Up Nationwide protests
"DC Cardinal should resign," Victims and Advocates say
They demand that he post names of accused clerics on church websites
Group urges release of all church documents pertaining to abuse or the cover up of abuse.
And Grand jury investigations similar to the one just held in Pennsylvania be carried out in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC
WHAT
As Part of a Nation-wide response this weekend, Local clergy survivor groups and support organizations will be holding signs and childhood photos, to demand that Washington DC's top Catholic figure resign. They will also ask DC archdiocesan officials to:
- Post the names of all the current and former accused child molesting clerics on church websites, and
- Stop lobbying against efforts to reform "archaic, predator-friendly state laws." And instead support these legal reforms necessary for survivor justice that they claim to support
- Urge State attorneys general across the DMV to launch investigations into their local dioceses,
- Ask US Justice Department to launch a full-scale federal investigation into the systematic sex crimes and cover ups within the Catholic Church, and
- Demand State lawmakers to extend statues of limitations and strengthen mandatory reporting laws to help deter future abuse and cover ups.
WHEN
Sunday, September 9 at 11:00 am
WHERE
United States Vatican Embassy (Apostolic Nunciature), 3339 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
WHO
About a dozen survivors and supporters including members from SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), who are fed up with the Church providing cover for predator priests. Sponsoring organizations include Call To Action, DignityUSA, FutureChurch, New Ways Ministry, Quixote Center, RAPPORT (Renewing and Priestly People Ordination Reconsidered Today), Roman Catholic Women Priests, Southeastern Pennsylvania Women's Ordination Conference, Women's Ordination Conference
WHY
- In response to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s release of an 887 page report that details the systematic sexual abuse of children and coverups by top Catholic officials.
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/report/
- In response to hearing that Washington Archdiocese, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, engaged in "absolutely abhorrent" behavior, according to AG Shapiro. (Page#229) https://www.npr.org/2018/08/16/639371818/how-pennsylvanias-attorney-general-is-investigating-reports-of-sex-abuse-by-prie
- Noting that the MD Attorney General, Brian Frosh has asked victims and/or their family members to reach out to his office with emails, so he can be informed of clergy sex abuse cases in the state of Maryland. [email protected]
- Realizing that the time is now for the US Department of Justice action on this issue. Last week the group - along with the New York-based Center for Constitutional Rightswrote to Deputy US Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein. They're asking the DOJ to initiate “a full-scale, nationwide investigation into the systemic rape and sexual violence, and cover-ups in the Catholic church, and, where appropriate, bring criminal proceedings against the hierarchy that enabled the violations.
- http://www.snapnetwork.org/after_pa_grand_jury_report_survivors_renew_demand_for_federal_investigation_into_church_sexual_violence_and_cover_up
- The PA grand jury concluded that “Over one thousand child victims were identifiable, from the church’s own records. SNAP believes that the real number – of children whose records were lost, or who were afraid ever to come forward – is in the thousands.”
- http://www.snapnetwork.org/blog
- SNAP is worried about those victims, and about children who are at risk now, because of predators who may be living or working near kids.
CONTACT
Judy Lorenz (301-633-2823) [email protected], David Lorenz, (301-906-9161) [email protected]) Deborah Rose Milavec, Executive Director FutureChurch 216.228.0869 Ext.3
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