MO--Catholic group has scholarship named after Cardinal Law
For immediate release: Thursday, April 21, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Victims blast big Catholic group
It honors “disgraced” church official
Scholarship is named after Boston’s Cardinal Law
He was forced to resign due to “horrific” abuse cover ups
Years ago, he headed diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
SNAP: “Such callousness encourages secrecy and hurts victims”
Group asks St. Louis archbishop to force K of C to apologize & stop
A large statewide Catholic group that meets this weekend just gave a scholarship named after a disgraced Catholic official who was forced to resign because of widespread abuse cover ups and a victims’ group is crying foul.
The Missouri Knights of Columbus donated money to a student for his education as the “Cardinal Bernard Law Youth Scholarship.” http://www.mokofc.org/programs/youth-activities/scholarships-grants
In 2002, Law became the first US bishop to resign for quietly moving predator priests. He’s been called “the poster child” for the church’s abuse scandal.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42581-2005Apr10.html
http://www.wbur.org/2015/09/22/cardinal-bernard-law
St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson is the Knights’ honorary state chaplain. They have an office in Maplewood (7318 Manchester Rd, 314 647 5529) and Jefferson City (573 584 3200). They are the “world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization” with 1.8 million members. http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/1point8_20100505.html
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says honoring those who conceal abuse encourages others to conceal abuse.
“Archbishop Robert Carlson is Missouri’s highest ranking Catholic official,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s director. “He should denounce this callousness and insist that the group apologize and rename the scholarship.”
“Ignoring wrongdoing encourages more wrongdoing,” said Barbara Dorris, SNAP’s outreach director. “And honoring a prelate who knowingly endangered hundreds of kids for decades makes victims who haven’t reported their abuse less likely to do so. It deepens the already deep feelings of hopelessness that so many of us already feel.”
“Keith Milson of St. Louis is the statewide head of the Knights. He is an engineer for MSD, so he’s not dumb. And he’s been involved with the Missouri State High School Activities Association, so he should care about kids,” said Clohessy. “So how can he and Archbishop Carlson and thousands of Catholics across Missouri turn a blind eye to the widely-understood and clearly-documented harm that Cardinal Law did to so many families?”
In 2003, the national Knights of Columbus loaned $38 million to Law and the Boston archdiocese to settle child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2003_07_12/2003_09_10_Robinson_ArchdioceseTo.htm
The Knights of Columbus Missouri State Council holds its annual convention April 22-24 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.
http://www.mokofc.org/component/comprofiler/userslist/State%20Officers?Itemid=482
Other K of C officials include Michael Grudzinski of Maryville (660-562-1529), Bob Hawkins of Ballwin (636-391-6443), Doug Kissinger of Ozark (417-336-2023), Michael Auchly of Montgomery City (636-745-3351 x 1321), Jerry Herbert of Florissant (314-746-4608), Tim Beussink of Gordonville (573-450-6466), John Mautino of Lee's Summit(816-305-5954), Michael Tesmer of Harrisonville (816-918-9134) and Youth Director John (Rocky) Gambon of Springfield (417-830-6389)
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
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