IL--Victims to leaflet archbishop's mass
Victims to leaflet archbishop’s mass
They want “prevention, not symbolism”
“Disclose records on notorious predator,” they urge
SNAP: “Catholic officials are still hiding important documents”
Cupich should also apologize to fired whistleblower, victims say
And they urge him to go next to a parish where an accused cleric still works
WHAT:
As Chicago’s new archbishop says mass at a notorious pedophile priest’s former parish, concerned Catholics and clergy sex abuse victims will hand fliers to church-goers urging them to
--push Archbishop Blasé Cupich to disclose records about the predator, and
--aggressively seek out others who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes.
The victims will also prod Cupich to
--apologize to a female school principal and whistleblower who was fired, and
--go next weekend to a parish where a twice–accused priest is still on the job.
WHEN:
Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 10:15 a.m.
WHERE:
Outside St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, 3151 W. Douglas Blvd., Chicago 60623 (the corner of W. Douglas Blvd & S. Kedzie Ave., 773-522-3050)
WHO:
Four to five people who are members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
WHY:
A former priest at St. Agatha’s - Fr. Daniel McCormack - pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and was sentenced in 2007 to five years in prison. Virtually every high ranking archdiocesan staffer who ignored or concealed suspicions or knowledge of McCormack's crimes has since been promoted.
The exception is the lone woman, Barbara Westrick, the former principal. She called police about allegations against McCormack. As a result, she says, she was fired.
SNAP wants Cupich to publicly apologize to Westrick.
The organization also wants him to personally visit St. Alphonsus parish next weekend (1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago 60657; 773-525-0709). That’s where Fr. Michael W. O’Connell remains on the job despite reports from two men that he molested them as boys.
Fr. O’Connell was temporarily removed from St. Alphonsus in December 2013 after the archdiocese received an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a boy at Our Lady of the Woods in Orland Park years earlier. In April of this year, then-Cardinal Francis George reinstated O’Connell even though the Cook County Sheriff’s Department never closed the criminal case.
Shortly thereafter, new allegations surfaced involving abuse of different boy in the 1990s and police continue to investigate. O'Connell, however, remains on the job. Catholic officials claim he will avoid the parish school and will not be alone with a child, a contention that SNAP calls “ludicrous and dangerous.”
The group wants Cupich to go to St. Alphonsus and beg anyone who may have information or suspicions about crimes or misdeeds by O’Connell to call police.
Finally, SNAP is also asking parishioners at McCormack’s former parishes to join them in aggressively seeking out others who saw, suspected or suffered the cleric's crimes. And the group wants Cupich to disclose records about McCormack that archdiocesan staff are still keeping hidden.
George and other Catholic officials repeatedly disregarded warning signs about McCormack and even promoted him after McCormack had been questioned by police about abuse accusations.
McCormack's crimes happened between 2001 and 2006 at St. Agatha Catholic Church and at Our Lady of the Westside Presentation School. The victims were between 8 and 12 years old. Assistant state's attorneys Shauna Boliker and Kathleen Muldoon helped prosecute McCormack. Several of the boys have filed and settled civil lawsuits against the archdiocese and McCormack. Most were represented by Chicago attorney Marc Pearlman (312-261-4554) and Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson (612-817-8665 cell, 651-227-9990 office).
Between his arrest and conviction, SNAP and others begged Cardinal Francis George to put McCormack in a secure treatment center. George ignored their request.
Photos of both McCormack and O’Connell are at BishopAccountability.org
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747 cell ([email protected]), Barbara Dorris 314-503-0003, Kate Bochte 630-768-1860
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