Media Statements

We are grateful this deposition is being made public. It's a shame it takes civil litigation and brave victims to force Dolan to answer for his wrongdoing.

We are saddened to hear of the abuse that this woman suffered at the hands of Fr. Mark Lacki. We hope that the lawsuit filed will bring her one step closer to justice and healing.

SNAP Australia welcomes the announcement of the provision of basic legal advice to those wishing to provide evidence to the Royal Commission.  

As the royal commission begins we stand full of gratitude and hope, gratitude to the Prime Minister and those in the government who have made this possible and hope that children of Australia will be safe as a result.

Yesterday, a day after being acquitted of charges in Canada, police in Toronto arrested Mohammad Masroor for extradition to the US in the case of a Muslim cleric who is also accused of molesting in Michigan and Florida.

Lawmakers in Missouri are considering making significant changes to the state’s sex offender registry. We hope that any changes they make will aim to further protect children, and not convicted adults.

We are glad that Fr. Patrick McCabe has received prison time for abusing two 13-year-old boys in the 1970s. We are especially grateful that McCabe was not let off the hook because of his advanced age. Children are always safer when predators are behind bars, whether that predator is 20 or 80.

We support Rep. Klisto and his bill to make school employees and clergy members mandated reporters of child abuse. By creating an environment where everyone from custodian to cardinal is required to report abuse, this measure will go a long way towards deterring future child sex crimes and will create a much safer world for children. 

We are glad to hear the Fr. Gerald Funcheon has admitted his guilt to claims that he abused young boys in the 1980s. Hopefully Fr. Funcheon’s admission will prevent the diocese from engaging in legal tactics to draw out the trial and avoid responsibility for these crimes.

A convicted pedophile priest walks free now in Argentina thanks in part to Pope Francis’ intervention, according to today’s Washington Post.