MO - Judge issues historical ruling for abuse victims’ parents; SNAP responds
A KC judge is letting a wrongful death lawsuit, stemming from childhood sex abuse by a priest, go ahead toward trial because the victim’s parents charge they were deceived by church staffers who “fraudulently concealed the clerics’ crimes.”
We applaud this historic ruling, and this family for having the courage and strength to seek justice and expose wrongdoing in court.
It’s hard to imagine much of anything worse than the death of a child. But this case is indeed worse: a child died by his own hand because of a pedophile priest and the priest’s crimes were concealed from the child’s parents for years.
So we are glad that Judge Michael W. Manners sided with Donald and Rosemary Teeman. We are grateful that a trial is now possible, at which the heinous crimes of Msgr. Thomas J. O’Brien and the inexcusable complicity of church officials may be further documented and disclosed.
It’s important to remember that O’Brien faces allegations that he molested more than two dozen children (sometimes along with fellow KC priest Fr. Thomas Reardon). He still lives in the KC area and kept working as a priest until 2002. O’Brien remains a priest today.
Let’s hope that every person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in KC will find the courage and strength to speak up, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids and start healing.
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/30/3303809/no-longer-alone.html
http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_parents_sue_diocese_their_abused_son_committed_suicide_090611
http://www.examiner.net/news/x219203065/Another-lawsuit-alleges-abuse
http://www.examiner.net/news/x219203065/Another-lawsuit-alleges-abuse
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
Showing 3 comments
chili talirunili & pudlo pudlat
mini doxies
court reporters