New case exposes cover-up by Bishop Tobin: Statement by SNAP and BishopAccountability
(For Immediate Release February 4, 2022)
On Thursday, Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Catholic diocese of Providence RI announced the removal from ministry of Fr. Francis Santilli, pastor of St. Philip’s Church in Greenville RI.
The bishop’s statement cites a single case “allegedly having occurred approximately 40 years ago.”
What Tobin didn't mention -- and what public documents prove -- is that the diocese has known for years of at least three other alleged victims of Santilli.
The diocese learned of two victims in 2012. That’s when a man emailed the diocese to say that Santilli had molested him 30 times as an altar boy in the early 1980s. The man said that his brother also had been a victim of the priest.
How do we know of these allegations? The diocese’s then-compliance officer reported them to the State Police in April 2012. That letter was made public in 2013, when the State Police were compelled to release a cache of 45 such letters in response to a freedom of information request by Channel 10.
Although Santilli’s name was redacted in the letter, he is able to be identified by the description of his post – “current pastor of St. Philip's Parish in Greenville RI.” The letter is posted here:
Note how the diocese’s Robert McCarthy takes pains in the letter to discredit each of the victims.
The diocese heard from a third victim in the spring of 2014. That victim was prompted to come forward as a result of a press conference on March 24, 2014 by SNAP founder Barbara Blaine demanding Santilli's removal from ministry.
In response to Blaine's news conference, the diocese posted a statement on its website denouncing the allegations. The statement expressed the diocese’s “total confidence” in Santilli and described him as an “exemplary pastor.” The Providence Journal’s report on the diocese’s statement is available here
https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2014/03_04/2014_03_24_Reynolds_ProvidenceDiocese.htm
The diocese dismissed the third victim too. SNAP can provide documentation of this report.
We at BishopAccountability.org and SNAP are outraged that Bishop Tobin left Santilli in ministry. He decided to put children at risk, even while he allowed brave victims to be discredited and demeaned.
The bishop has known of allegations against Santilli for nearly 10 years.
During those ten years, Santilli has had free rein with altar servers, children at the parish school, and children attending CCD classes.
How many other children and vulnerable young people have been sexually assaulted as a result of the bishop’s cover-up?
We urge RI Attorney General Peter Neronha to explore pressing criminal charges against Bishop Tobin and the Diocese of Providence for endangering Rhode Island children.
Ann Hagan Webb, EdD, SNAP, Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests, RI
(617) 513-8442
Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director, BishopAccountability.org
[email protected]
(781) 439-5208
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 1 comment