KS- Priest with multiple allegations is defrocked, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Statement by Melanie Sakoda, Secretary, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), [email protected], 925-708-6175
A Kansas City priest with multiple allegations of abuse was apparently quietly defrocked months ago, according to a small announcement in The Leaven. Father John H. Wisner was laicized by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann last December, with the decision affirmed by the Vatican in March.
https://issuu.com/theleaven/docs/leaven_05-25-18
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While we are glad that this former priest has been removed from ministry, we are disappointed that the resolution of this case was kept virtually secret. In 2002 the Catholic bishops pledged to be more transparent, and this does not seem in keeping with that promise. The survivors who came forward at great personal cost deserve to be validated publicly.
Moreover, there may well be other victims who are suffering alone and in silence. These tortured souls may think that they were the only ones who were hurt by Father Wisner. A public announcement from the bishop would have served as a first step on their path to personal healing.
Contrary to what was written in the announcement, we would also encourage anyone with information about criminal behavior to report directly to law enforcement, not the Church. Those who believe themselves to have been abused can also reach out to support groups like ours for help and support.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world's oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 supporters. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [email protected]), Melanie Sakoda (925-708-6175, [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