Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been criminally charged with sexually abusing a child; SNAP reacts.
The brave victim, who does not wish to disclose his identity, told authorities he was sexually assaulted by McCarrick during a wedding reception at Wellesley College in the 1970s. McCarrick has been summoned to appear for an arraignment in late August.
We applaud the work by secular authorities in charging the former Cardinal. McCarrick can be prosecuted since he was not a resident of Massachusetts when the crimes are said to have occurred. McCarrick then lived in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City while working as secretary to Cardinal Terence Cooke. McCarrick, a Monsignor at the time, held that position from 1971-1977.
In July 2018, the New York Times published a story detailing a pattern of sexual abuse of male seminarians and minors by the former Cardinal. After a Church investigation and trial, he was found guilty of sexual crimes against adults and minors and he was dismissed from the clergy in February of 2019. McCarrick is the most senior Catholic official in modern times to be laicized and is believed to be the first cardinal ever laicized for sexual abuse. And now, the former Cardinal also faces criminal charges.
We are elated that this serial predator is finally facing secular judgment for at least some of the abuse he inflicted. We hope this news inspires others to come forward and report their abuse to law enforcement.
CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]), Becky Ianni, SNAP Virginia State Leader (703-801-6044, [email protected]), Brian Toale, SNAP New York (646-549-0372, [email protected]), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [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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