Lawsuit Forcing Diocese of Pittsburgh to Release Documents Can Move Forward, Judge Says
A lawsuit that would force a Pennsylvania diocese to release all its records related to sexual abuse of children can move forward, a judge has ruled. We applaud this ruling and the precedent it sets and hope that others across the country will force their own dioceses to release records to the public as well.
The ruling by Judge Christine Ward in the lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is an unprecedented one that means private citizens can force institutions to prove that they are compliant with state laws regarding reporting abuse and protecting children. This is an important step forward in the fight to force transparency on an institution that has for so long been opaque in its dealings with cases of child sexual abuse.
We applaud the plaintiffs, Ryan O’Connor and Kristen Hancock, as well as their attorneys Benjamin Sweet and Timothy Hale, for bringing this case forward. Thanks to them, there is now yet another chance for parishioners and the public to learn the full truth about the scope and history of sexual violence that has been covered-up and minimized by Catholic officials for decades.
This is yet another example of secular officials and the justice system forcing change and transparency that has long been promised – but failed to be delivered – by institutions. We hope that other survivors, parents, and parishioners around the country will be inspired by this ruling to act against institutions in their own backyard that have been less than forthcoming about cases of sexual abuse. Courts, not words from church officials, are the best pathway to true change.
CONTACT: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, (636-433-2511, [email protected]), Zach Hiner, Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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