GA - Ex-Georgia priest indicted on child sex crimes
Yesterday, Fr. Robert Poandl was indicted by federal authorities on child sex crimes.
He worked in Georgia at St. Christopher's in Claxton GA as recently as February of 2012. Prior to that, Poandl worked in Pembroke, GA at Holy Cross from September of 2010 to February 2012. During that same time he alsy worked at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sandhill, GA. Poandl was removed from public ministry a second time in Feb. 2012, after an allegation of sexual abuse that is said to have occurred "nearly 30 years ago" surfaced.
We are grateful to this brave victim for cooperating with law enforcement authorities and trying to protect other kids from horrific child sex crimes by this predator priest.
Fr. Poandl is a shrewd child molester. But even cunning criminals are sometimes caught.
Still, this is not the time for complacency. Accused Catholic clerics usually get top notch defense lawyers. Sometimes, they walk free by exploiting legal technicalities. And sometimes, they get lenient sentences because other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers stay silent.
So we beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Poandl's crimes to speak up, get help, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids and start healing.
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