IL - Chicago's top Catholic official plays the "blame game"; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014
Statement by Barbara Blaine, President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747,[email protected])
It's distasteful to see Chicago's top Catholic official plays the "blame game" about a serial pedophile priest, Fr. Daniel McCormack, who severely hurt perhaps dozens of innocent childrenbut would have been stopped much sooner if only Cardinal Francis George and his staff hadn't covered up.
First, George blames his deceased predecessor.
Then he blames nameless "people" who might have "been more wary.”
Then, he blames his own priests (for electing McCormack to a position).
Then, he blames nameless “offices" involved the investigation of this serial pedophile priests that allegedly "did not consistently share what they knew with each other or with me.”
Then, instead of stepping up and taking responsibility, he conveniently uses the vague third person to say “The response, in retrospect, was not always adequate.”
A careful, dispassionate look at the irresponsible behavior of George and his top aides showed that no one lacked information. They lacked courage and decency.
A half a dozen Catholic officials who acted recklessly, carelessly and deceitfully were promoted after Fr. McCormack’s crimes became known. The one church employee, who acted properly, a female principal, was fired.
George seems to want to put this "chapter" of the archdiocese's on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis behind him. But blame-shifting won’t achieve this goal. Only real honesty will. We long for the day he will admit his own deliberately self-serving misconduct in this case and will clearly and harshly discipline even one of the corrupt clerics who protected a predator and his supervisors instead of protecting the flock and its families.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell,[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [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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