Media Statements

For immediate release: Friday, December 16, 2013 

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Any real hope of reform in the scandal-ridden Legion of Christ seems very unlikely now. High ranking officials in this Catholic order reportedly still hold their criminal founder in high regard and are resisting substantial change, the Associated Press reports.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/12/13/pope-must-decide-what-to-do-with-disgraced-legion-as-it-moves-to-elect-new/

For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 13, 2013

David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Two credible and knowledgeable Philadelphia Catholics – including noted blogger Susan Matthews - report that they’ve heard rumors that Archbishop Charles Chaput may disclose this weekend the fates of some alleged predator priests by making announcements at some parishes. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS ACCURATE OR NOT.

It’s about time. Victims, their families and Philly Catholics have waited far too long for some clarity from church officials about these accused child molesters. Whenever Chaput makes this announcement, we suspect he won’t be completely forthcoming about key details.

For immediate release: Friday, December 13, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]

We applaud the South Side teacher who reported a case of sexual assault involving  Hales Franciscan High School students by contacting the Department of Children and Family Services.

For immediate release: Thursday, December 12, 2013

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

The Vatican has named Msgr. Michael J. Sis, 53, vicar general of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, as bishop of San Angelo, Texas.

We wish Bishop Sis well. But we are not optimistic about his promotion. As Austin’s vicar general, we strongly suspect he helped conceal clergy sex crimes, as most Catholic vicar generals do.

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-503-0003, [email protected]

Six clergy sex abuse victims have settled their civil cases against the Beaumont Catholic diocese.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Diocese-of-Beaumont-settles-sex-abuse-suit-5058195.php

We hope this settlement comforts at least some of the many families who have suffered and are suffering because Catholic officials kept Fr. Ronald Bollich on the job knowing he had molested young boys.

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013

David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

We are not encouraged by the appointment of Jackson’s new Catholic bishop. We know little about Joseph R. Kopacz. But he has been named as a defendant in clergy sex abuse suits or been accused of concealing those crimes (see case involving Father Albert M. Liberatore Jr., Father Carlos Urrutigoity, and Father Eric Ensey at BishopAccountability.org)

Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops have won two key battles in courts and the legislature that make it very hard for clergy sex abuse victims to seek justice. So it’s hard to find out what roles men like Kopacz have played in clergy sex cases. We hope he hasn’t protected predators and endangered kids. But we’re not optimistic.

The minute he takes over in Jackson, we urge Bishop-elect Kopacz to immediately confirm the whereabouts of two Jackson child molesting clerics and warn Catholics and citizens in two places about them:

For immediate release: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 

Statement by Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected])

We applaud Darryl McArthur for seeking justice against the Chicago archdiocese for its reckless and callous misdeeds with Fr. Daniel McCormack, a credibly accused predator priest who was promoted and kept on the job despite repeated "warning signs."

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Statement by SNAP leader Mary Caplan of New York ([email protected])

Despite having taken virtually no steps whatsoever – as head of a diocese, a religious order or now, the worldwide church - to protect children or expose predators or punish enablers or reform laws relating to abuse, Pope Francis continues to enjoy considerable personal popularity. Carrying his own luggage, paying his own hotel bill, living in smaller quarters, and talking more about the poor are admirable moves. They do not, however, address the most devastating crisis the church faces – and has faced for decades – heinous crimes against kids.

http://www.ccrjustice.org/pdf/CRC%20Supplemental%20SNAP%20Dec%202013.pdf

That’s why we in SNAP – with the valuable help and support of the Center for Constitutional Rights – continue to prod secular authorities, especially at the international level – to do what the pontiff and his top aides refuse to do: prevent the raping and sodomizing of children by publicly exposing those who commit and conceal this awful violence.

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])

The pope has made many feel hopeful, with his personal humility, down-to-earth gestures, and obvious deep compassion for the poor. He has not, however, made a single child safer. He hasn't exposed one predator priest or disciplined one corrupt bishop.

After nine months of essentially ignoring the church's most severe crisis, he hastily announced last week that he'll appoint an abuse study panel. That's it. Meanwhile, kids are being raped, predators are being helped, police are being ignored, prosecutors are being stonewalled and secrets are being hidden.

For immediate release: Monday, December 9, 2013

Statement by Barbara Blaine, President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747, [email protected])

Temporarily ousting a credibly accused predator priest is the bare minimum. Cardinal Francis George must do more about Fr. Michael W. O’Connell who just left his post at St. Alphonsus Catholic parish (1429 W. Wellington Ave.) in Lakeview.

First, George should disclose where Fr. O’Connell is now. Parents and neighbors should be warned about him.

Second, George should insist that Fr. O’Connell move into and stay at a remote, secure, independently run treatment center so that he gets help and so that kids are protected.