IL - Ex-Granite City priest is “credibly accused” of abuse; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We are glad that Catholic officials have admitted that child sex abuse allegations against a priest who worked in Granite City are “credible.” Now, it’s time that they try to get Fr. Robert DeGrand criminally prosecuted, instead of trying to handle these serious accusations “in house.”
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140113/NEWS/14011974
Springfield Catholic officials claim that Fr. DeGrand’s alleged crimes happened long ago. That may be true. But it’s exceedingly rare that a child molester only molests once. And Springfield’s bishop has plenty of resources – parish bulletins, pulpit announcements and a public relations staff – that he could use to beg others who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. DeGrand’s crimes to call police. He could immediately give Fr. DeGrand’s personnel files to prosecutors in each of the dozen towns where he’s worked.
But that won’t happen. Why? Because Catholic officials still do the absolute bare minimum and handle child sex abuse reports internally.
So we in SNAP beg anyone who may have knowledge of or suspicions about Fr. DeGrand’s crimes or misdeeds to take a simple but courageous step forward. We beg them to call police, prosecutors, therapists or support groups like ours. We beg them to end their silence, because silence only helps those who commit and conceal child sex crimes.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell,[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 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