CA--More LA clergy sex abuse/cover-up files to be released tonight
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director, [email protected], (949) 322-7434
While we are pleased and relieved that the last of the clergy sex abuse and cover-up documents from Los Angeles will finally be publicly released tonight, we cannot help but help but believe that—in this case—justice delayed may be justice denied.
These three religious orders—the Carmelites, Redemptorists, and Servites—have spent millions of dollars in the courts and fought victims for more than 12 years to keep their files secret. Who knows how many survivors may have suffered or died during this time? Who knows how many predators or enablers were protected? Who knows how many kids were put at risk because church officials preferred to spend their money on expensive lawyers rather than foster healing.
We urge LA citizens and Catholics to read these files and note names of church officials—both current and former—who ignored or concealed these henious crimes. If any of them are still holding church positions, we urge parishioners to publicly denounce them and pressure church officials to oust them.
It is important to note that Catholic officials did not willingly turn over these documents. They were forced to do so after years of legal battles and the bravery and tenacity of victims. We salute every victim who came forward and demanded justice, even when church officials refused to do the right thing.
We urge every single person who saw, suspected, or suffered clergy sex crimes in the LA Archdiocese to call police and prosecutors now. That's the best way to protect kids, expose secrets, and deter cover-ups.
The files of 12 priests from three religious orders will be released tonight. They may be viewed at www.boucher.la
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, S[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
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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