SNAP Media Events

New bishop should act on two accused clerics

Group says it’s willing to meet with new prelate

But only on one condition: “Take prevention steps 1st”

SNAP to Johnston: “That will be “a sign of good faith”

Victims want warnings about priests who now live elsewhere

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will

--challenge the new head of the Kansas City MO (KC) Catholic diocese to warn others about three accused clerics,

--offer to meet with him, but ONLY if he takes “tangible prevention steps first,” and

--warn KC citizens and Catholics against complacency just because Bishop Robert Finn is gone.

They will also try to hand deliver a letter outlining their concerns to the new bishop.

Priest who was here last year is accused

Allegation comes from internal church memo

He’s the 7^th Belleville priest “outed” this year for first time

Group will write their names on church headquarters sidewalk

Six of them are “credibly accused child molesters,” church admits

“Continuing secrecy violates Pope Francis’ latest promises,” group says

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will

--disclose an internal US Bishop Conference memo – under the heading “WARNING” – that names a never-before-accused priest who worked in the Belleville diocese last year,

Pope’s promise to “end secrecy” means prelates must act, group says

SNAP: Pontiff’s ‘accountability’ pledge means “enablers” must be punished

Self help organization wants two ---three recent local abuse cases to be “re-examined”

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will urge all US Catholic bishops – including DC’s archbishop - to honor and act on the promises Pope Francis made yesterday. Specifically, the victims will urge America’s bishops and DC Archbishop Donald Wuerl to

-- disclose names of church staff who CONCEALED child sex crimes,

-- disclose (and post on church websites) names of clerics who COMMITTED child sex crimes, and

-- publicly “defrock, demote or at least discipline” the “enablers.’

They will also prod Wuerl to disclose more about and “re-visit” three recent clergy sex abuse cases.

SNAP: “Prelates fight secular child safety bills”

Battles are being waged in places Francis visits: PA, DC & NY

“Chaput uses flock’s donations to protect predators,” group says

It begs church-goers: “Donate elsewhere until real change happens”

SNAP: “As Francis talks of ‘protecting families,’ bishops ‘fight them in court’”

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos, after Francis’ mass, clergy sex abuse victims will

--urge the pope to make his bishops, in PA & elsewhere, stop blocking better child safety laws,

On eve of pope’s trip in Philly, group to hold small vigil

They remember hundreds of victims who committed suicide

SNAP: “Pope’s callous praise of bishops opens new wounds”

Organization says papal visit “provokes pain in thousands”

It begs victims to “reach out, get therapy, and call loved ones”

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos of suicide at a sidewalk vigil, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will

--remember and honor adults who were molested as kids and took their own lives,

--express support and concern for other victims who are suffering because of Pope Francis’s visit and the laudatory attention the Catholic hierarchy is enjoying, and

--blast Pope Francis for his recent remarks praising US bishops for their actions in the abuse and cover up crisis.

They remember hundreds of victims who committed suicide

SNAP: Pope’s callous defense of bishops opens new wounds

Organization says papal visit “provokes pain in hundreds”

They beg victims to “reach out, get therapy, call loved ones”

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos of suicide at a sidewalk vigil, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will 

--remember and honor adults who were molested as kids and took their own lives, and

--express support and concern for other victims who are suffering because of Pope Francis’s visit and the laudatory attention the Catholic hierarchy is enjoying.

SNAP: “100,000 US clergy abuse victims, but federal officials do nothing”

Group applauds governmental investigations and reports in other countries

Two United Nations panels have done probes and attacked church hierarchy

Organization says “Welcoming Francis is fine but, for kids’ sake, challenge him too”

What:

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will blast US federal officials for “doing nothing” about the on-going child molestation and cover up scandal in the church. They will call on

--Congress to hold hearings into the crisis, and

--the Justice Department to make crime-fighting funds to states contingent on reforming archaic child safety laws.