A Copy of the DOJ's Request to Preserve Documents
At SNAP, we believe that transparency is a critical element to ending the clergy sex abuse crisis, restoring public faith in religious institutions, and helping survivors heal. We are grateful when church officials take steps towards transparency, and even moreso when that transparency is forced by brave whistle-blowers. Today, we were lucky to have experienced the latter.
The below document is a copy of the federal Department of Justice's (DOJ) letter that was sent to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and each of his brother bishops in early October, informing bishops that they must preserve any and all records related to clergy sex abuse including personnel files, "secret archives," and more. This copy was sent to us by an anonymous whistleblower.
While SNAP received this letter in the mail from an anonymous source, media reports verify that Cardinal Daniel DiNardo received such a letter from the DOJ, and the information in the letter from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is accurate as far as we can tell. Accordingly, we are posting this letter in the interest of showing how at least one archdiocese is responding to the DOJ's request.
We are also deeply grateful to every single current and former church worker or member who has come forward to share information with us or the public, whether divulging their name or doing so anonymously. We urge others with such information or suspicions to do likewise.
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