Media Statements

For immediate release: November 13, 2024

The Archbishop of Canterbury stepped down this week following an outcry over his role in the cover-up of child abuse. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, sees this resignation as a positive first step, but believes that the Archbishop is only a symptom of a deeper problem.

An independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of accusations of abuse by the late John Smyth was released on November 7, 2024. Smyth, who was a lawyer actively involved in Christian ministry for children, physically, sexually, psychologically, and spiritually abused about 30 boys and young men in the U.K. and 85 in Africa over five decades. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued a statement in response to the report.

In his statement, Archbishop Welby acknowledged that, "I personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013 the awful tragedy was energetically investigated. … I did not meet quickly with victims after the full horror of the abuse was revealed by Channel 4 in 2017.” Despite this admission, the Archbishop did not intend to step down until public outcry forced his resignation.

However, SNAP European Coordinator, Marc Artzrouni, while applauding this development, does not believe that it is enough. He said, “The rot is institutional: any other person in Welby's position would have covered-up the crimes in the same way.”

For Immediate Release: November 12, 2024 

On Friday, the Catholic Diocese of Oakland filed a plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court. In a press release, the Diocese said it will create a trust for sexual abuse survivors worth between $160 and $198 million to pay out 345 claims. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called the settlement offer “pathetic.”

Court documents show the initial installment is only $65 million. The Treasurer of SNAP’s Board of Directors, Dan McNevin said, “I think it's pretty pathetic. It's low. This is a really, really wealthy Diocese and there are a lot of victims. I can't imagine that creditors' counsel will accept such a low number that just calculates to about nothing per victim."

Cathy, an Oakland sexual abuse survivor echoed Dan’s reaction, “I believe the Diocese will pay the lowest amount they can. They are before this court looking for a discount on my pain. On our pain. The church protects its money and reputation more than its children. No amount of money will make me whole and restore the child that was damaged in that one moment.”

Victim attorneys Rick Simons and Jeff Anderson also pushed back. Rick said the offer was "a definite message and the message is 'You are not important.' The message is 'We don't care!'" Jeff called the proposal “a scam and a sham.”

The 330 innocent victims who have filed lawsuits were members of the Oakland Diocese. They were baptized and confirmed, worked as altar servers, or attended Catholic schools. Their families trusted the priests who assaulted their children, and those families donated time and money to the Diocese. They helped to compensate the clergy who damaged their children's lives.

For immediate release: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Couple accused of abuse walks free

Husband & wife headed Christian boarding school

Charges dropped but victims believe more may be filed

They were arrested six months ago after kids ran away

Several civil lawsuits against them have also been filed

A Missouri couple who was arrested last spring have been freed from jail, but abuse victims hope other charges will soon be filed against them.

Larry and Carmen Musgrave, owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, Missouri, had been charged with first-degree kidnapping after an ex-student told authorities she was "held against her will."  The school was run by ABM Ministries.

In numerous civil lawsuits, the Musgraves – and other Lighthouse staffers – were accused of a range of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Most of those cases are pending.

"While I am disappointed with the court’s ruling in regards to the charges in which I was the victim, I will always be grateful for the closure this process has brought me personally. Being able to talk about my experience and feel heard was what I needed. Knowing that I did everything I knew how to do to prevent this from happening again is enough for me," said Julianna Davis, who now lives in Alabama. "I hope even though the outcome of these specific charges isn’t what we wanted, I hope my story gives hope to anyone else affected by the troubled teen industry. Hopefully the changes that will eventually come from this will be broad and long-lasting. Thank you specifically to Sgt. Carson and Sheriff Finch for listening and doing everything in their power to help us as well."

"I’m deeply disturbed by the final ruling. It’s frustrating to see these two walk away without facing the consequences they deserve," said Deborah Brownell who lives in Florida. "Until we hold people like this accountable, the cycle of abuse will continue. Our legal system should be protecting the vulnerable—not letting those responsible walk free."

"Hearing the news that the charges have been dropped against the Musgraves set me in a bit of a spiral. It’s devastating that two individuals who have caused so much pain, neglect, abuse and who have brought so much evil into the lives of myself and my friends are able to walk free from this," said Michael McCarthy who now lives in Washington state. "While I can’t say I’ve been super confident in our justice system, I was hopeful that this would allow some of us to heal. I am truly devastated. There should not be a statute of limitations on child abuse and kidnapping."

"It’s a devastating concept that people who have caused so much damage can walk away free of consequences," said Aralysa Baker, who now lives in Oklahoma. "We were told as students that no one was going to help us, that no one cared and that no one would believe us. It honestly hurts that the justice system has once again proved this to be true. I can only hope that justice will eventually prevail."

"It's sickening that charges have been dropped against the Musgraves, even if it's just temporary. Scores of kids have suffered immeasurably at the school they ran and this news will only compound the deep pain so many still feel," said David Clohessy of SNAP. "We desperately hope that the prosecutor will work hard and move quickly to prosecute these egregious wrongdoers on more charges, so they can be convicted and kept away from vulnerable children in the future."

Another former staff member, Julio Sandoval, worked at both Lighthouse and at Agape Boarding School in Stockton. In August of 2022, he was arrested on federal charges of violating a protective order issued at the request of a student. Sandoval was accused of taking the student against his will and transporting him from California to Missouri in 2021. Sandoval was working as dean of students at Agape at the time. That case is pending.

His Julio Sandoval's son, Caleb Sandoval, was recently sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child at Lighthouse. (State v. Caleb Sandoval, Case #24WY-CR00156-01)

CONTACT:  David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

For immediate release: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Former Christian boarding school principal faces charges

And an ex-teacher pleads guilty to abuse or neglect of a child

Victims applaud both developments & the closing of a similar facility

A former principal faces new charges of child sexual abuse and a former teacher has pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect. Both men worked at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont. The Academy, which is now closed, was in Wayne County, two hours southwest of St. Louis.

Victims are applauding both developments along with news that yet another similar facility in rural Missouri has apparently closed.

Lighthouse was one of several Christian boarding schools in the state where staffers have been charged in criminal courts and sued in civil courts, or been the subject of media reporting about the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children. 

Craig Wesley Smith Jr., who was Lighthouse Christian Academy’s principal, faces felony charges of forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual contact with a student, abuse or neglect of a child, and harassment, according to attorney Rebecca Randles of Randles, Mata & Brown, L.L.C. in Kansas City (816-931-9901). Last week, a judge set his arraignment for October 31, 2024.

Caleb Sandoval, who taught at the same school, has been sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child. (State v. Caleb Sandoval, Case #24WY-CR00156-01)

Neither development has been covered by news media in Missouri.

The victims "feel encouraged" by the developments.

"Neither of these men should have ever had jobs around kids," said Aralysa Baker, who was a student at Lighthouse Academy from 2005 to 2007. "Each of them hurt several kids that we know of, and were so blatant in their behavior that other adults must have known of their criminal acts."

"We praise the brave survivors who are cooperating with law enforcement to help get these offenders locked up and away from children," said David Clohessy of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Victims are also relieved to learn that Stone of Hope Boarding School in southwest Missouri has apparently closed, according to reports from neighbors and the disappearance of the school's website. It operated on the grounds of the former Agape School, and shared employees, land, students, and the same general business concept with the shuttered Agape School.

CONTACT:  David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2024 

Just today the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to 1,353 victims of clergy sexual abuse who filed lawsuits in the civil window that closed in 2022. This is the largest settlement ever paid by the Church to date. Only a few lawsuits remain pending against the Archdiocese.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful to the survivors who stood up for their rights and for all victims by filing civil actions. While the settlement agreed to today is for a record amount, we know that no amount of money can ever truly compensate these brave men and women for the damage they suffered as children. However, we hope that these monies will bring some measure of healing to those who came forward.

The Archdiocese is the largest in the United States, with over 4 million adherents who attend 300 churches.

“The LA Times reported that over 300 perpetrators have been accused in public records of sexually abusing children, yet SNAP’s list of abusers associated with the Archdiocese has over 500 names,” said SNAP Board of Directors Treasurer Dan McNevin. “We fear and believe there are many more survivors out there who have not yet come forward. It is incumbent on Archbishop José H. Gomez to find a way to bring those lost souls in from the cold.”

SNAP believes that this settlement is a good start, but that much work remains to be done. Parishioners and the public deserve the entire truth about who the accused were, as well as who enabled the perpetrators and covered up the crimes. We hope that as a part of the Archbishop’s atonement, that he pledges to release all clergy personnel files related to all these cases, updates his list of abusers, and announces enhanced safeguards to protect today’s children.

CONTACT: Dan McNevin, SNAP Board of Directors Treasurer ([email protected], 415-341-6417), Joey Piscitelli, SNAP Northern California ([email protected], 925-262-3699), Dorothy Small, SNAP Sacramento Area Leader, ([email protected], 530-908-3676), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director  ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Apparently without notifying parents, parishioners or the public, Toledo Catholic officials quietly admitted this year that another of their priests molested at least one child.

On Bishop Daniel Thomas' website, evidently with no word to current or former church-goers or his one-time co-workers, the Bishop deemed at least one child sexual abuse allegation against Fr. Michael G. Madden to be "substantiated" and added his name to the list of "credibly accused" Toledo area clerics. We believe this posting was made within the last two weeks. Fr. Madden died in 2007, after working in the diocese for more than 40 years.

Toledo officials did not disclose how many abuse reports Fr. Madden faced. Nor did they reveal when his victims spoke up or what diocesan staffers did when that happened. Accordingly, it's unclear whether the priest was accused while he was alive and if so, whether law enforcement was contacted.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, cannot help but wonder how many other abusive clerics the Diocese might still be hiding, or which others the Diocese has acknowledged without public notification? The 2002 Dallas Charter promised parishioners and the public that Catholic bishops would be open and transparent about clergy sex crimes, but Bishop Thomas does not appear to be honoring this pledge.

Fr. Madden was at nearly a dozen churches throughout northwest Ohio during his career, which began in 1962. He worked at St. Rose Catholic Parish in Lima, St. Wendelin Parish in Fostoria, St. Michael Parish in Kelley’s Island, Mother of Sorrow Parish in Put-in-Bay, St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Martin and Bono, two parishes in Sandusky (Holy Angels Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Parish) and four parishes in Toledo (St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Community of the Risen Christ, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and St. Catherine Parish.

In addition, Fr. Madden worked at the St. Bernadine Home in Fremont, at Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan, at what was then the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, and with Retrouvaille (a program for couples with troubled marriages).

A native of Sandusky and graduate of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Fr. Madden attended Saint Meinrad Seminary College in Indiana, St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati, and Xavier University in Cincinnati.

We hope anyone who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Madden's crimes will find some long overdue consolation in the fact that he's finally been publicly exposed as an abuser, even if this disclosure was apparently not done publicly. Despite the fact that Catholic officials have long claimed that they're now being transparent about their sex offending clerics, this does not seem to be what happened in Toledo this year.

We also hope that anyone who may have been hurt by Fr. Madden will find the strength to tell trusted sources like friends, family, therapists or support groups like ours.

CONTACT: Claudia Vercellotti, SNAP Toledo ([email protected], 419-345-9291), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814- 341-8386)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2024

This week, a federal judge denied the Wisconsin Attorney General’s request to review the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s sealed bankruptcy records as part of an investigation into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church . SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is saddened by this ruling, which in our view does not make the protection of children the priority.

Attorney General Josh Kaul argued in his request that the sealed claims meant that some abusers could have gotten away with their crimes, and that some survivors never got the justice they deserved. We agree wholeheartedly with AG Kaul, and we hope that, if he is able, he will appeal this short-sighted ruling.

In response to the decision, the attorney for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said that, “Judge [G. Michael] reasserts the bankruptcy court’s finding at the time that because the abuse happened so long ago in the 1950s-70s, there are no longer any public safety concerns."

Sadly, it is simply not true that those who abuse boys and girls cease to become a threat as they age. In fact, child predators very rarely stop without outside intervention. This ruling may very well mean that today’s children could be harmed by some of these unidentified men and women.

The Archdiocesan attorney also asserted that a review of the records “would have been devastating to abuse survivors who see this case as closed, and want their claim kept under seal by the court.” We are incredulous that the Catholic Church purports to speak on behalf of those victimized. Most, if not all, only suffered life-long injuries because of decisions made by that entity.

In fact, in our experience, most survivors come forward because they do not want another child to experience what happened to them. We suspect that most, if not all, would welcome seeing their abusers held accountable for their crimes.

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2024

On Monday, the Catholic bishop of Vermont filed for bankruptcy in the face of 31 lawsuits for child sexual abuse. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is concerned that by employing this legal tactic, the Diocese will avoid accountability for past actions that resulted in life-long injuries to innocent boys and girls.

In fact, we suspect that the real motive behind the decision is to prevent disclosures about what happened to these brave survivors as children, as well as the knowledge that the Diocese could have prevented that harm in most, if not all, the cases. As the cherry on top for Bishop McDermott, a bankruptcy will also mean that the recoveries to the victims will be severely reduced.

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2024 

Last week the Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre reached a settlement with 600 survivors of child sexual abuse. The Diocese agreed to pay $320 million in compensation.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful to the survivors who stood up for their rights and for all victims. We hope that this process will bring some measure of healing those who came forward.

The bankruptcy case was begun in 2020 and it has taken 4 years to reach an agreement. Rockville Centre initially only offered $200 million, which was rejected by the survivors. In 2004, the Diocese was among the 10 largest in the United States.

However, it is important to note that, while the settlement is justly deserved by those who have suffered decades in silence, no amount of money can make up for the lifetime of trauma that results from child sexual abuse.  Moreover, in the grand scheme of things, the money is but a drop in the bucket given the great wealth of the Catholic Church. Still, we suspect that after all the time between the filing of their lawsuits and the conclusion of the bankruptcy, most will simply be happy that their claims are finally resolved and try to move forward. 

New York SNAP Leader Mary McKenna puts it this way, “The amount of money each survivor will receive is always less than they deserve. The awards in the Rockville Centre bishop’s reconciliation program run by Cardinal Timothy Dolan were similar, and survivors got that money right away. Moreover, it was reported in Newsday yesterday that the Bay Shore school district settled with 5 victims: one received $4.5 million and the other 4 $3.5 million each!!! The Catholic Church got off easy!!! I just hope this little bit of money will help some survivors get what they need. But I can’t help but feel that overall the Catholic Church has failed victims once again.”

In one bright spot in the whole situation, Long Island SNAP Leader Janet Klinger noted that for years prior to the bankruptcy she fought for the release of a list of accused priests in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, but without success. However, the names were finally released in 2021 as part of the federal proceedings.

We hope that the Diocese will continue to update their list as new reports of abuse are made to them. However, we know that no institution can, or should, police itself. We hope that law enforcement and legislators in New York are looking long and hard to find new pathways to provide justice for survivors and to prevent more children from being harmed in the future. It seems to us that one critical step is to change the law to ensure that covering up and enabling abuse is itself prosecuted as a serious crime. Those who fail to protect innocent boys and girls, like the perpetrators, should also face time behind bars.