Media Statements

In November 2018, and with urgency, SNAP President Tim Lennon, SNAP Leaders, and advocates called on Iowa's Attorney General Tom Miller to take steps in getting to the bottom of clergy abuse in Iowa. We are grateful that the AG answered our call but, more importantly, opened up the hotline so survivors' voices could be heard. We hope that this example is followed by the attorneys general in the remaining states that have yet to open an investigation.

Deacon Shawn Jude Gautreaux from St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, LA, has been put on leave pending an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a minor. According to the Diocese of Lafayette, the allegation against the Deacon comes from a period of time before his ordination. The Diocese also said that local law enforcement has been informed.

"Better late than never" is one cliché that comes to mind when hearing that the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas has reversed itself by admitting a cleric that it previously cleared is actually a credibly accused abuser.

In a letter made public today, four Independent human rights experts working with the United Nations want the Vatican do more to prevent violence and sexual abuse against children.  The experts cited the "persistent allegations of obstruction and lack of cooperation" from the Catholic Church. SNAP agrees wholeheartedly with them.

To us, it is excellent news that yet another highly respected group is calling on the Vatican to reform. Hopefully, the increased pressure from these international experts will force Church officials to make a difference for children and the vulnerable. We also applaud the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) for noting the tactics used by Catholic leadership in avoiding accountability and transparency. Most importantly, we fully agree with the UN experts who raised concerns about the Church's efforts to thwart legislative efforts to make the prosecution of abusive clergy, brothers, and nuns easier, as intense lobbying to preserve the statute of limitations and limit reparations.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul has completed what they call an “exhaustive review” into the way that clergy abuse allegations had been handled by its longtime vicar general. The response leaves much to be desired.

As the nation's largest non-Catholic faith group, the Southern Baptist Convention, holds its annual meeting, leaders of the world’s largest support group for clergy sex abuse victims are urging secular authorities to investigate child sex crimes and cover ups in the denomination.

A former Toledo Catholic Diocesan Director of youth ministries who resigned after multiple credible allegations of child sex abuse has died.

Today the Washington Post reported multiple cases of child abuse and coverup that occurred within Supreme Court Justice's Amy Coney Barrett's religious group, the People of Praise.

This week, on the last legislative session day, Colorado lawmakers made history. We are thrilled to report that with the passage of SB 21-088 at least some survivors of child sexual abuse in the state will have a chance at justice. Although this bill will not allow victims to sue their perpetrators, it will let survivors file lawsuits against institutions if their harm was the consequence of a cover-up by the organization.

In September of 2018, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas requested documents from all three Catholic Dioceses in the state, requiring full disclosure and transparency in cases of child sexual abuse. At the time, the Diocese of Las Cruces confirmed it had received the request and indicated that it intended to cooperate.