MO - Catholic bishop appeals to MO Supreme Court
No names of pedophile priests will be turned over today
For immediate release: Monday, Jan. 13, 2014
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
After months of delay and adverse rulings from two courts, lawyers for St. Louis Catholic Archbishop Robert Carlson have filed an emergency writ with the Missouri Supreme Court seeking to block the disclosure of the names of 115 archdiocesan employees who have been accused of sexually assaulting children.
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is deploring Carlson’s move.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are urging “anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in St. Louis to step forward now, regardless of what the courts do or don’t do.”
“Even if the state’s highest court sides with the young victim and against Carlson, these names will be kept under seal, so it’s likely that the disclosure won’t protect any kids, at least not in the short term,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “Any adult with any compassion whatsoever will do what he or she can to stop the abuse of kids, instead of waiting for other victims, witnesses, whistleblowers or secular officials to act.”
“This case – Jane Doe v. Fr. Joseph D. Ross and the St. Louis archdiocese – is set for trial next month,” said Judy Jones of SNAP. “Carlson is giving this brave young woman and her attorney little time to really prepare their case. And he’s trying to intimidate other victims in to keeping silent by showing them ‘If you seek justice against us, we’ll fight tooth and nail.’“
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director