MA--Boston--SNAP to Cardinal O’Malley
The Church needs to do more to protect children, help survivors, as well as live up to its promise of being open and transparent.
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, Boston clergy sex abuse victims will be speaking out after the premiere of the movie “Spotlight” here in Boston this weekend, and giving their personal feelings viewing it, along with what action the church needs to take to protect children and help wounded survivors.
They will also urge Cardinal O’Malley, as the head of the Pontifical Commission, to urge Pope Francis to take concrete action punishing, firing, and defrocking known Cardinals, Bishops, and Supervisors, who are responsible for the cover-ups and destruction of children’s lives by protecting criminal clerics in their care, as well as other actions, that will protect children.
These are actions that will protect children, and send the message that the church is serious about children’s safety.
WHEN
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at 11:45 am
WHERE
Outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston
1400 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
WHO
Two-four members of a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), and supporters, including Mark Vincent Healy, a survivor from Dublin, Ireland, who was one of the European survivors who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014
WHY
With the release of the movie, “Spotlight” this weekend, the eyes and ears of the world will see played out on the big screen the shameful truth of the cover-ups of child sexual abuse by the leadership of the Catholic Church all the way up to the Pope, who were and are complicit of this reality even today.
We are concerned that “Spotlight” may trigger other victims memory’s, victims who may still be trapped in silence, shame and self-blame. We encourage them to come forward speak with police and began healing process.
CONTACT
David O’Regan 434 446 6769 [email protected] David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003, [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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