Media Statements

(For Immediate Release August 2, 2023) 

Pope Francis has arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, where he will address one of the country's most devastating issues: sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The gravity of the situation was palpable as senior bishops listened to heart-wrenching stories shared by victims during a panel discussion last February.

In a shocking revelation, specialists recently disclosed on live television that a staggering 4,815 boys and girls, primarily aged between 10 and 14, have been victims of sexual assault by ordained, professed, and employed religious of the Portuguese Catholic Church since 1950. This announcement contradicted previous claims by high-ranking members of the church, who downplayed the extent of the abuse.

The response from the Portuguese Catholic Church has been criticized as inadequate and lacking urgency. Their slow and hesitant reaction prompted survivors to form Portugal's first advocacy group, demanding financial compensation on behalf of the victims. This further tarnished the church's reputation, which has already been marred by these heinous acts.

(For Immediate Release August 1, 2023) 

Disgraced Albany Bishop Hubbard marries in a civil ceremony.

In a bizarre turn of events, Bishop Hubbard, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, has announced he is now married despite ongoing civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. “I have fallen in love with a wonderful woman who has helped and cared for me and who believes in me,” Bishop Hubbard, 84, said in the statement. Hubbard's ecclesiastical career, spanning, saw him serve as a priest for 60 years and a bishop for 46 years.

Hubbard’s decision comes after a failed attempt to seek a reversion to the "lay state" or a release from his ecclesiastical responsibilities through a formal appeal to the Vatican.

We are skeptical of Hubbard's motives; his latest move is another attempt to conceal secrets and deceive the public.  "It is astonishing to us the depth of selfishness cowards run to when their back is in the corner," said Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President. "We also cannot help but think of the countless number of victims who'd like relief or to retire and have closure from their lifetime of pain and suffering. Sadly, those who have endured the most harm will never be able to resign from that weight,” said Dougherty.

We stand with the courageous individuals who have come forward to expose Hubbard's alleged misconduct, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency within the Catholic Church. Their actions have provided a sense of security to Albany's Catholic community, which has been deeply affected by these revelations.

As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on supporting the survivors and ensuring that justice is served. We urge the public to stand with the victims and demand a thorough investigation into the allegations against Hubbard.

CONTACT: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected] 267-261-0578 Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President, (814-341-8386 [email protected])

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

(For Immediate Release July 26, 2023)

It is with great sorrow that we have received news of the passing of Sinéad O'Connor, a renowned vocalist, activist, and composer.  Despite the extensive knowledge about Sinéad O'Connor's life, her achievements extend beyond her musical contributions and vocal activism against social injustices. Furthermore, she played a significant role in providing valuable inspiration and strong impetus for individuals engaged in advocating for the welfare of children and combatting institutional abuse, as well as addressing issues of secrecy and concealment.

‘Sinead O’Connor wore the anguish of victims of clergy abuse, and it seems as though she knew in 1992 the horrors that hadn’t yet been revealed. Ultimately, she relieved the pain of tens of thousands of victims with rebellion. We at SNAP mourn with the world.’ Mike McDonnell, Interim Executive Director-SNAP

We are still in awe of the significant power she held while also harboring profound emotional distress. Her journey was characterized by solitude, obscurity, and challenges, a path that is often shunned by individuals but ultimately leads to the process of healing.

Sinéad played a crucial role in tending to the injured, safeguarding the susceptible, and pursuing truth and justice, but she has now passed away. However, should individuals who are dedicated to protecting children neglect to acknowledge and honor her brave, devoted, and contentious standing, and heighten endeavors to eradicate disgusting child sexual offenses, the depth of this tragedy will only grow graver.

Sinéad O'Connor's passing is a tremendous loss for the music industry and the global community. Her voice, both literal and metaphorical, will be sorely missed. As we mourn her untimely departure, let us remember her as a trailblazer, a visionary, and a true champion for the voiceless.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sinéad O'Connor's family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. May her legacy continue to inspire and ignite change in the world.

CONTACT:  Mike McDonnell, Interim Executive Director ([email protected] 267-261-0578) Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President, (814-341-8386 [email protected])

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

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(For Immediate Release July 25, 2023) 

The Jesuits on July 24 said that a famous artist priest is definitively expelled from the religious order for sexually, spiritually and psychologically abusing women, and lamented they couldn't prosecute him more vigorously under the Vatican's internal procedures.

The priest and artist Father Marko Rupnik, accused of the physical and psychological abuse of numerous religious sisters, was dismissed from the Jesuits last month according to the religious order. In a June 15 statement from the Society of Jesus, Rupnik was expelled due to his "stubborn refusal to observe the vow of obedience."

In response to complaints that Rupnik is still a priest, Father Johan Verschueren, Communication Officer Jesuit Curia (Rome) stated that the Vatican's current laws "precluded an investigation that could have led to a harsher penalty," according to the AP. In June 2021, the Vatican updated its regulations to make clergy abuse of adults illegal, but it did not retrospectively apply those laws to Rupnik's alleged abuse between the years of 1985 and 2018, which the Jesuits' investigation team had determined to be credible.

It is clear to us that the Vatican, specifically the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, never considered time-barred victims when updating the laws for abuse against adults. It is not too late to right the wrong. 

Another question raised by the Jesuits' expulsion of their "top" earner. They acknowledge that he is being rightly accused of behaving in a predatory manner, but their decision to fire him comes only after they grew tired of Rupnik’s "stubborn refusal" to submit? Ultimately, that was enough to send him on his way without any real punishment. In our view, this speaks volumes about what the church teaches about truth. The reality is this, the truth can be altered with a price.  

The most pressing issue has to do with Father Rupnik's priesthood. Yes, he still is one. A priest's dismissal from a religious order does not remove the collar. Rupnik has been a major source of income for the church, and apparently still has friends among the powerful, so the rules are not really rules for him. It is no secret that great wage earners are revered by the Vatican and thus receive additional protection, Rupnik is no exception.

We believe that being expelled from a priestly community does not prevent an alleged abuser from hurting others in the future. The nine religious women from the Loyola Community in Ljubljana, Slovenia, who came forth bravely to relate their testimonies will receive no justice from Rupnik's current blacklisting. Nuns: don't they deserve justice?

We continue to applaud and support the brave women who have pressed on to hold Rupnik accountable and the Society of Jesus responsible for enabling him.  As always, anyone who may suspect, witnessed, or learn of abuse by Fr. Rupnik to immediately report their information authorities. 

Contact: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Interim Executive Director  ([email protected] 267-261-0578)  Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President ([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)

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(For Immediate Release July 18, 2023)

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond posted on its website earlier this month that retired priest Fr. Walter Lewis was accused of sexually abusing a child during his time at  St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol. The clergyman denied the accusation, but the Diocese said that it had been reported to law enforcement.

The accusation against Fr. Lewis stems from an incident that was said to have occurred in the 1980s. The priest was ordained in 1979. He worked as a parochial vicar or pastor at several parishes, including Holy Spirit, Virginia Beach; St. Andrew, Roanoke; St. Anne, Bristol; St. Mary, Richmond; St. Bridget, Richmond; St. John Neumann, Powhatan; and Good Samaritan, Amelia. Fr. Lewis retired in May of 2023.

We know that it can take survivors decades to come forward. Delayed disclosure is quite common, and the average age of reporting is 52. Those victimized by Catholic clergy, brothers, sisters, employees and volunteers during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s will likely continue to come forward for years to come.

That said, we applaud this survivor for coming forward, and we recognize how difficult it must have been to tell their story. SNAP is committed to standing by all victims of sexual abuse by trusted authority figures. This survivor's bravery will help to keep other children safe.

However, we also know that those who prey on boys and girls rarely have just one victim. We feel that Catholic officials have a moral obligation to do more than just post a notification letter on their website. If the Diocese was truly sincere about protection, transparency, and cooperation, Bishop Barry C. Knestout would take the initiative and personally go to every parish where Fr. Lewis worked to beg anyone who may have experienced, witnessed, or suspected abuse by the cleric to report immediately to the police. 

We also think in the interest of child protection and transparency, the Diocese should expand their list of accused to include brothers, sisters, employees and volunteers. It should also provide photos and the dates for parish assignments, as well general information about each accusation, such as the age and sex of the victim, when the accusation was received, where the abuse was said to have occurred, and what was done in response.

In the meantime, we urge anyone who experienced abuse in the Diocese of Richmond to speak up. Tell trusted family and friends, a trained therapist, law enforcement, or support groups like ours. You do not need to suffer alone and in silence! There are people who will believe and support you.

Contact: Becky Ianni, SNAP Virginia State Leader, (703-801-6044, [email protected]) Tom Schlenz, SNAP Leader, Shenandoah, (540-532-6347, [email protected]) Mike McDonnell, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 267-261-0578)

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(For Immediate Release July 17, 2023) 

The Diocese of Ogdensburg has submitted a Chapter 11 reorganization petition following the filing of more than 100 sexual abuse lawsuits. Bishop Terry LaValley stated in a letter that the reorganization is in reaction to the 138 lawsuits brought against the diocese under the Child Victims Act of New York state.

In a move that, in our opinion, tries to prevent the public from realizing the scope of clergy sexual abuse that has occurred inside its borders. Ogdensburg makes the 6th out of the 8 Catholic Dioceses in New York to do so. 

The truth about how the abuse was tolerated, by whom, and where, as well as all other real evidence, are equally as vital to survivors and their families as reparations are; without that truth, a safe Catholic diocese in Ogdensburg will not emerge, and these crimes will be replayed.

We are calling on our state and federal lawmakers to examine these bankruptcy manipulations for possible fraud. The government should see through the charades and force the Catholic dioceses declaring indigency to confront these cases one at a time so that juries can hear the evidence and the testimony of victims and decide the harm and award just damages.

Contact: Mike McDonnell, SNAP Interim executive Director  ([email protected] 267-261-0578)  Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President ([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)

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(For Immediate Release July 12, 2023)

Two Illinois Catholic entities list new child molesting clerics

SNAP: “It’s the church’s 1st positive step since AG abuse report”

Two Joliet area Catholic institutions have quietly expanded their public lists of ‘credibly accused’ child molesting clerics, a month after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the state’s bishops were largely ignoring or downplaying 149 such priests and brothers.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ag-report-finds-nearly-350-catholic-clergy-accused-of-sex-abuse-not-publicly-listed-by-illinois-dioceses/ar-AA1bAbRq

Two weeks ago, the Joliet diocese quietly added the names of 12 more alleged predators to its website, all of whom belong or belonged to religious orders. 

https://protect.diojoliet.org/documents/d/child-protection/clergy_with_substantiated_allegations

(For Immediate Release July 10, 2023) 

An allegation of abuse has been levied against a retired priest in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. According to a news report- Around 2011, the family of a Pensacola middle-school student, who was struggling with bullying, moved the boy to a new school hoping the change would help.

The boy’s mother enrolled him at St. John the Evangelist, a private Catholic school in Pensacola. She shared with the pastor there, then prominent Pensacola priest Monsignor James Flaherty, how much her son had suffered and how he needed support.

It can take survivors a long time to come forward and report abuse, and we believe this claim should be taken seriously and investigated fully. We stand in applause for the brave victim and his family for stepping forward. We want them to know we believe in them and support them in any way possible.

The details of Flaherty befriending the victim and requesting help with the church property are indicators of grooming a victim. Additionally, we always raise the caution flag when we see multiple transfers in clerics’ work history. To that point, we call on church officials in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee to conduct immediate outreach in the previous parishes and schools in which Flaherty worked and hope that this news will encourage other survivors of sexual violence to come forward to seek healing and justice.

Finally, regardless of what actions the Church has taken, we know that the best way for survivors to heal and protect other children is to make their own reports to law enforcement. We hope that this story will encourage any still-suffering survivors in the area to talk with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist so that they can start healing and find ways to break their silence.

CONTACT:  Mike McDonnell, Interim Executive Director ([email protected] 267-261-0578) Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President, (814-341-8386 [email protected])

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

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(For Immediate Release July 7, 2023) 

(For Immediate Release July 7, 2023) 

A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4, the latest developments in an ongoing probe that has identified 14 suspects.

In the allegations that were made public on Friday, Attorney General Michelle Henry said that the men had groomed or obtained access to the kids using the church, sometimes by inviting them into the kid's family's house. One woman said that between the ages of 7 and 12, a church member who was 18 at the time of the assaults raped her at least 50 times. Related charges have appeared against other perpetrators.

We strongly suspect that the named defendants have other victims, some of whom the statute of limitations likely expired. Just think about how many victims could have been spared if the courtroom doors were open longer for criminal and civil claims.