SNAP Reacts as Entire Second Circuit Recuses Itself from Case against the Diocese of Shreveport
In an unprecedented and baffling move, all nine justices of Louisiana’s Second Circuit court have recused themselves from a case against the Diocese of Shreveport. We hope that this decision does not slow down the plaintiff's march towards healing and justice and we call on the justices involved to explain their decisions publicly.
The case in question is a civil lawsuit for damages for child sexual abuse. The plaintiff is a man who alleges that he was raped and molested as a young boy by two men associated with the Diocese of Shreveport. On its own, the case is a depressing-yet-altogether-too-common story of the sexual abuse of a devout child at the hands of the religious figures that he trusted. But we are absolutely bewildered as to why every single justice within the Second Circuit court felt they needed to recuse themselves from hearing this case. We hope that the victim will get the day in court he deserves now that the matter has been transferred to the Fourth Circuit court.
So much of the legal process is already confusing to laypeople and we believe that this decision, absent a public explanation, may sow doubt and distrust among survivors and victims as to whether or not their lawsuits can be heard fairly in Louisiana, and especially in the Second Circuit court. For the good of all Louisianans, we hope that the justices involved explain their decision publicly and do so soon.
CONTACT: Kevin Bourgeois, SNAP New Orleans ([email protected], 504-376-5445), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(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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