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SNAP Media Events
SNAP Press Event in Houma on Thursday
Victims charge Houma Catholic church is ‘reckless’ on abuse
Group says diocese ‘is still hiding at least 4 local perpetrators’
Other dioceses post their names & say the allegations are ‘credible’
SNAP: “But Houma officials refuse, leaving kids at risk & victims wounded”
Support group also alerts child victims to an unusual new legal opportunity
New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue
‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ survivors say
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will
--write on a sidewalk the names of four publicly accused clerics who are or were in the Houma-Thibodaux diocese but are largely ‘under the radar’ and are still being hidden by local church officials, and
---urge anyone “with information or suspicions about known or possible abusers” to call police, not church staff, contact SNAP and “protect others and start healing.”
They will also urge Catholics to join with them in spreading awareness of an “unusual and ground-breaking child safety law” that “enables virtually any child sex abuse victim to sue, no matter how long ago the crime happened, so that the truth will be known about every bishop, priest, brother, nun, seminarian, or layperson who hurt kids.”
WHEN
Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11:15 a.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. Francis, 500 Goode St. in Houma (985-876-6904)
WHO
Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director
SNAP Press Event in Baton Rouge on Wednesday
Abuse victims blast Baton Rouge bishop
He’s hiding at least three ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests
Other church officials say allegations against the men are ‘credible’
SNAP: “If church officials are hiding them, what else might they be hiding?”
Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity
New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue
‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say
WHAT
Using sidewalk chalk, while holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will write on a sidewalk the names of three publicly accused child molesting clerics who are NOT on the Baton Rouge Catholic bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list and thus remain largely ‘under the radar.’
They will also urge
---Catholics and others to “spread the word” about an unusual new Louisiana law that will make kids safer by enabling victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue those who committed or concealed the crimes - no matter how long ago they were violated, and
---those with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible perpetrators to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP.
WHEN
Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 2 PM
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside St. Joseph Cathedral, 401 Main Street (corner of 4th) in Baton Rouge
WHO
Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director
SNAP Press Event in Lafayette on Wednesday
New perpetrator priest lawsuit is filed
Victims also blast local bishop over ‘continued secrecy’
SNAP: He’s hiding at least 3 ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests
They’re still alive, so they may still be a threat to kids, group says
Other church officials say charges against them are substantiated
But their names are NOT on the official Lafayette diocese list
Victims also urge greater awareness of new state child molestation law
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, abuse victims will announce and discuss a new child sexual abuse and cover up lawsuit against ‘the most notorious child molesting’ cleric in Louisiana history.
Using chalk, they will also write on a sidewalk the names of several publicly accused pedophile priests who have spent time in the Lafayette area but are NOT on the Lafayette bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list.
And they will also “urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered ANY other known or possible abuse to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP.
WHEN
Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 11:00 a.m.
(NOTE: The group will hold a similar event in Baton Rouge later the same day, Wednesday, October 9 at 2 p.m.)
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the address for the Cathedral is 914 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA, press conference will be at 515 Cathedral. Call if you can't locate them: David, 314-566-9790 (Cathedral phone: 337-232-1322)
WHO
Two child sexual abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director
SNAP Press Event in Alexandria on Tuesday
Victims blast Alexandria bishop on child abuse
They say he’s “concealing four publicly accused priests"
Other church officials admit charges against them are ‘credible’
SNAP: “If church officials are hiding these guys, what else might they be hiding?”
Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity
New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue
‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sexual abuse victims will
---disclose four publicly &/or ‘credibly accused’ priests who were in the Alexandria diocese but are NOT on the local Catholic bishop’s official ‘accused’ list, and
---write their names - and names of other alleged pedophile priests - on the sidewalk with chalk.
The victims will also urge
---Catholics to “spread the word” about a new Louisiana law that “helps protect kids and expose predators” by enabling “anyone abused at any time by any one” to file a civil lawsuit against “both the actual perpetrators and those who enabled their crimes” and
---anyone with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible abuser to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact their SNAP.
WHEN
Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 626 4th St. in Alexandria (318-445-1451)
WHO
Two child sexual abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director
SNAP Press Event in Lake Charles on Tuesday
Abuse victims blast Lake Charles bishop
He’s hiding at least four ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests
Other church officials say allegations against the men are ‘credible’
SNAP: “If church officials are hiding them, what else might they be hiding?”
Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity
New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue
‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say
WHAT
Using sidewalk chalk, and holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will write on the sidewalk the names of child-molesting clerics, at least four of whom have been left off the Lake Charles Catholic bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ abusers ist.
Holding signs and childhood photos, they will also
---urge Catholics to join with them in spreading awareness of an “unusual and groundbreaking child safety law” that “enables virtually any child sex abuse victim to sue, no matter how long ago the crime happened,” and
---urge those with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible perpetrator to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact their support group.
WHEN
Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 11 AM
(NOTE: The group will hold a similar event in Alexandria later the same day, Tuesday 10/8 at 2 p.m.)
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo St. in Lake Charles (337-436-7251)
WHO
Two child sexual abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director
More clergy abusers named in lawsuit-SNAP news conf Thurs 9/19 @ 11a.m. in Jeff City
Victims say top Catholic official is 'becoming worse' on abuse
They write names of 'credibly accused perpetrators' on sidewalk
Newly filed civil lawsuit targets four or five priests accused of abuse
SNAP: But Jeff City bishop refuses to 'reveal even one fact' about them
Group wants Bp. McKnight to disclose who 'Fr. Dave' is and where he is now
And it 'especially urges' those who were hurt as adults to 'come forward & get help'
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, abuse victims will discuss a new lawsuit filed last week accusing four or five Jefferson City area Catholic priests of child sexual crimes and adult sexual misconduct. They will also prod Jefferson City's Catholic bishop to reveal more information about
--the four newly-accused abusers - including which are alive and where they are now
--all of the clerics on his 'credibly accused' abusers list, including their photos and complete lists of each parish where they worked.
Using chalk, they will write the names of the 10-12 proven, admitted and 'credibly accused' priests who are or were in the Jeff City area and are still alive.
And they will call on
--anyone who was 'sexually manipulated, exploited or victimized' as an adult to 'speak up, protect others and start healing,' and
--state lawmakers to reform Missouri's 'archaic, arbitrary and predator-friendly' statute of limitations on child sexual crimes.
WHEN
Thursday, Sept. 19 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (where one of the priests is accused of abusing a woman), 1206 E. McCarty in Jefferson City (573 635 6143)
WHO
Two abuse victims including a mid-Missouri native who for 30 years led SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) and who sued the Jefferson City diocese years ago
New boarding school abuse suit & upcoming big trial-SNAP presser Fri. Sept. 6 @ 1:15 p.m.
Young abuse victim files unusual suit vs. sheriff’s department
He charges staffers 'committed & concealed' crimes against kids
The victim, now 23, was assaulted in 2015 & speaks for the 1st time
And a criminal trial vs. Christian school's co-founder starts next month
Missouri’s 'most prolific female predator' faces dozens of charges & civil suits
In last minute plea, SNAP says 'victims, witnesses & whistleblowers must speak now'
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, a 23 year old abuse victim will speak publicly for the first time and will announce his unusual new lawsuit. It charges that a southern Missouri sheriff’s department repeatedly ignored, concealed and committed abuses at a Christian facility for 'troubled' children and seeks four unprecedented reforms that will help prevent similar crimes.
Separately, next month, a long-awaited criminal trial against Missouri’s most notorious serial boarding school abuser begins. So abuse victims are making 'a last-ditch plea' to 'anyone who saw, suspected or suffered wrongdoing' by the female defendant to 'help prosecutors lock her up by coming forward to law enforcement now.'
And they will beg anyone with information or suspicions about crimes at Christian boarding schools to 'come forward, protect others and get healing.'
WHEN
TOMORROW, Friday, Sept. 6 at 1:15 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk just south of the Charles E. Whittaker US Federal Courthouse, 400 E. 9th St., corner of Oak, (in Ilus Davis Park) in Kansas City, MO
WHO
The 23 year old plaintiff and victim who is suing, two other survivors/advocates and a St. Louis man who was abused as a boy and is the volunteer Missouri director of a support group called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
Spgfld MO event: Horrific new boarding school abuse case filed & big trial looms
New horrific abuse suit filed vs. Christian boarding school
As a 13 year old, the victim suffered ‘torture’ in 2019 & 2020
She’s now just 18, making her the youngest to take legal action
Prominent local pastor reportedly ‘hid children’ from state authorities
He’s named as a defendant and SNAP says he should be fired or resign
A high profile criminal trial against school’s co-founder starts next month
She faces dozens of charges & civil suits; case will be heard in Stockton
In last minute plea, SNAP says ‘victims, witnesses & whistleblowers must speak up now’
WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, holding signs and childhood photos, abuse survivors will
-- announce the filing of a “horrific” new abuse and cover up lawsuit against a controversial Christian boarding school for girls in southwest Missouri,
-- call for a prominent local pastor, named as a defendant in the suit, to resign or be fired, and
-- urge others to help prosecutors convict a female serial abuser by contacting law enforcement before her trial next month if they “saw, suspected or suffered her crimes.”
WHEN
Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 1:15 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse at 222 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy (between Broadway and Washington) in Springfield MO
WHO
Two-three victims and anti-abuse advocates, including a Drury University graduate and child sex abuse survivor who for 30 years headed SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
--1) The suit is being filed by girl who - as a 13 year old in 2019 and 2020 - was repeatedly subjected to “torture” and “physical, sexualized and mental abuse” at Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Humansville (in Polk County, 40 minutes north of Springfield.) Now 18, she’s the youngest victim to sue the facility.
Among the offenses alleged in the suit: trafficking, involuntary servitude, brainwashing children, defrauding parents, child sexual abuse, and negligently hiring staff, negligently supervising staff and kids and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
One of the defendants is Rev. Jeff Ables of Berean Baptist in Springfield (507 East Norton Rd, [email protected], 417.833.1529). He allegedly “hid children” from DCFS,” according to the suit, and refused to report abuses to authorities even though he’d been told of the crimes as far back as 2008.
Some of the abuses were sadistic and bizarre, the suit says, such as withholding food as punishment and force-feeding kids until they threw up and then forcing them to eat their vomit.
Staffers shoved the victim’s face into manure, put Wasabi sauce in her mouth and forced her to watch as other girls were “punched in the face, choked, beaten and whipped.”
The victim, identified only as Jane Doe, will NOT be at the news conference. She lives in Kansas City and is represented by KC attorney Rebecca Randles (816 931 9901).
2)) Next month, Missouri’s most notorious Christian boarding school abuser goes on trial facing 22 counts of child abuse and neglect. She is Stephanie Householder who, for years, along with her husband, ran two Christian boarding schools for ‘troubled kids’ in southern Missouri. (Before he died in June, her spouse Boyd was charged with 79 similar counts.)
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article289535052.html
SNAP is begging other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to contact the FBI or the Missouri attorney general’s office before the widely-anticipated trial begins next month in Stockton.
“Over decades, hundreds of kids suffered because of the Householders,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “So please, don’t sit back and be silent. If you saw, suspected or suffered abuse at these schools, help prosecutors get her locked up by coming forward now to the attorney general’s office, local law enforcement or SNAP.”
Dozens of ex-students accuse the Householders of using “brutal restraints, excessive workouts in extreme temperatures, psychological and sexual abuse” and withholding food and water as punishment. According to the AP, 16 former residents said they were handcuffed, whipped with belts, had their mouths taped shut and were punched for minor offenses such as singing.
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2024/05/15/774285.htm
https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2024/06/after-ex-mo-boarding-school-owner-accused/
In recent years, criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and media reports have exposed shocking and severe abuse of kids in at least three similar facilities in Missouri (Agape School in Stockton, Kanakuk Kamp near Branson and ABM Ministries, a.k.a. Lighthouse Christian Academy, in Piedmont.)
https://www.davidclohessy.com/blog/2nd-letter-to-mo-ag-bailey-re-boarding-schools
CONTACT
David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected] (davidclohessy.com)
Media Statements
New Zealand Catholic Bishop Denies Mishandling Abuse Complaints. Survivors Respond
MEDIA RELEASE
20 November 2024
For immediate release
A New Zealand Catholic bishop, John Adams of Palmerston North, has denied knowing his National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) mishandled clerical and religious sexual abuse complaints.
Adams told the press last week, “I’m not aware of any cover-ups or any of the bishops conspiring to keep things hidden.”
SNAP is aware that as recent as April this year, Bishop Adams was sent files regarding the mishandling of clergy child sex abuse complaints. The files included:
1. Abandoned scopes of investigative work,
2. An independent review report upholding a complainant’s claim that investigative work remained outstanding,
3. A legal request to further investigate remaining areas identified in an independent review report,
4. Documentation from an independent law firm requiring the handling of complaints be clarified,
5. Eight other files supporting claims of mishandling abuse cases.
But Adams did not acknowledge any of the correspondence. However, NOPS confirmed the files were received.
Head of Church of England resigns over abuse scandal; SNAP urges institutional reform
For immediate release: November 13, 2024
The Archbishop of Canterbury stepped down this week following an outcry over his role in the cover-up of child abuse. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, sees this resignation as a positive first step, but believes that the Archbishop is only a symptom of a deeper problem.
An independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of accusations of abuse by the late John Smyth was released on November 7, 2024. Smyth, who was a lawyer actively involved in Christian ministry for children, physically, sexually, psychologically, and spiritually abused about 30 boys and young men in the U.K. and 85 in Africa over five decades. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued a statement in response to the report.
In his statement, Archbishop Welby acknowledged that, "I personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013 the awful tragedy was energetically investigated. … I did not meet quickly with victims after the full horror of the abuse was revealed by Channel 4 in 2017.” Despite this admission, the Archbishop did not intend to step down until public outcry forced his resignation.
However, SNAP European Coordinator, Marc Artzrouni, while applauding this development, does not believe that it is enough. He said, “The rot is institutional: any other person in Welby's position would have covered-up the crimes in the same way.”
Catholic Diocese of Oakland offers pathetic settlement to survivors; SNAP reacts
For Immediate Release: November 12, 2024
On Friday, the Catholic Diocese of Oakland filed a plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court. In a press release, the Diocese said it will create a trust for sexual abuse survivors worth between $160 and $198 million to pay out 345 claims. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called the settlement offer “pathetic.”
Court documents show the initial installment is only $65 million. The Treasurer of SNAP’s Board of Directors, Dan McNevin said, “I think it's pretty pathetic. It's low. This is a really, really wealthy Diocese and there are a lot of victims. I can't imagine that creditors' counsel will accept such a low number that just calculates to about nothing per victim."
Cathy, an Oakland sexual abuse survivor echoed Dan’s reaction, “I believe the Diocese will pay the lowest amount they can. They are before this court looking for a discount on my pain. On our pain. The church protects its money and reputation more than its children. No amount of money will make me whole and restore the child that was damaged in that one moment.”
Victim attorneys Rick Simons and Jeff Anderson also pushed back. Rick said the offer was "a definite message and the message is 'You are not important.' The message is 'We don't care!'" Jeff called the proposal “a scam and a sham.”
The 330 innocent victims who have filed lawsuits were members of the Oakland Diocese. They were baptized and confirmed, worked as altar servers, or attended Catholic schools. Their families trusted the priests who assaulted their children, and those families donated time and money to the Diocese. They helped to compensate the clergy who damaged their children's lives.
Charges dropped vs. 2 Christian boarding school staffers; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Couple accused of abuse walks free
Husband & wife headed Christian boarding school
Charges dropped but victims believe more may be filed
They were arrested six months ago after kids ran away
Several civil lawsuits against them have also been filed
A Missouri couple who was arrested last spring have been freed from jail, but abuse victims hope other charges will soon be filed against them.
Larry and Carmen Musgrave, owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, Missouri, had been charged with first-degree kidnapping after an ex-student told authorities she was "held against her will." The school was run by ABM Ministries.
In numerous civil lawsuits, the Musgraves – and other Lighthouse staffers – were accused of a range of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Most of those cases are pending.
"While I am disappointed with the court’s ruling in regards to the charges in which I was the victim, I will always be grateful for the closure this process has brought me personally. Being able to talk about my experience and feel heard was what I needed. Knowing that I did everything I knew how to do to prevent this from happening again is enough for me," said Julianna Davis, who now lives in Alabama. "I hope even though the outcome of these specific charges isn’t what we wanted, I hope my story gives hope to anyone else affected by the troubled teen industry. Hopefully the changes that will eventually come from this will be broad and long-lasting. Thank you specifically to Sgt. Carson and Sheriff Finch for listening and doing everything in their power to help us as well."
"I’m deeply disturbed by the final ruling. It’s frustrating to see these two walk away without facing the consequences they deserve," said Deborah Brownell who lives in Florida. "Until we hold people like this accountable, the cycle of abuse will continue. Our legal system should be protecting the vulnerable—not letting those responsible walk free."
"Hearing the news that the charges have been dropped against the Musgraves set me in a bit of a spiral. It’s devastating that two individuals who have caused so much pain, neglect, abuse and who have brought so much evil into the lives of myself and my friends are able to walk free from this," said Michael McCarthy who now lives in Washington state. "While I can’t say I’ve been super confident in our justice system, I was hopeful that this would allow some of us to heal. I am truly devastated. There should not be a statute of limitations on child abuse and kidnapping."
"It’s a devastating concept that people who have caused so much damage can walk away free of consequences," said Aralysa Baker, who now lives in Oklahoma. "We were told as students that no one was going to help us, that no one cared and that no one would believe us. It honestly hurts that the justice system has once again proved this to be true. I can only hope that justice will eventually prevail."
"It's sickening that charges have been dropped against the Musgraves, even if it's just temporary. Scores of kids have suffered immeasurably at the school they ran and this news will only compound the deep pain so many still feel," said David Clohessy of SNAP. "We desperately hope that the prosecutor will work hard and move quickly to prosecute these egregious wrongdoers on more charges, so they can be convicted and kept away from vulnerable children in the future."
Another former staff member, Julio Sandoval, worked at both Lighthouse and at Agape Boarding School in Stockton. In August of 2022, he was arrested on federal charges of violating a protective order issued at the request of a student. Sandoval was accused of taking the student against his will and transporting him from California to Missouri in 2021. Sandoval was working as dean of students at Agape at the time. That case is pending.
His Julio Sandoval's son, Caleb Sandoval, was recently sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child at Lighthouse. (State v. Caleb Sandoval, Case #24WY-CR00156-01)
CONTACT: David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Christian boarding school staffer is charged; another pleads guilty
For immediate release: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Former Christian boarding school principal faces charges
And an ex-teacher pleads guilty to abuse or neglect of a child
Victims applaud both developments & the closing of a similar facility
A former principal faces new charges of child sexual abuse and a former teacher has pleaded guilty to child abuse and neglect. Both men worked at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont. The Academy, which is now closed, was in Wayne County, two hours southwest of St. Louis.
Victims are applauding both developments along with news that yet another similar facility in rural Missouri has apparently closed.
Lighthouse was one of several Christian boarding schools in the state where staffers have been charged in criminal courts and sued in civil courts, or been the subject of media reporting about the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children.
Craig Wesley Smith Jr., who was Lighthouse Christian Academy’s principal, faces felony charges of forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual contact with a student, abuse or neglect of a child, and harassment, according to attorney Rebecca Randles of Randles, Mata & Brown, L.L.C. in Kansas City (816-931-9901). Last week, a judge set his arraignment for October 31, 2024.
Caleb Sandoval, who taught at the same school, has been sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child. (State v. Caleb Sandoval, Case #24WY-CR00156-01)
Neither development has been covered by news media in Missouri.
The victims "feel encouraged" by the developments.
"Neither of these men should have ever had jobs around kids," said Aralysa Baker, who was a student at Lighthouse Academy from 2005 to 2007. "Each of them hurt several kids that we know of, and were so blatant in their behavior that other adults must have known of their criminal acts."
"We praise the brave survivors who are cooperating with law enforcement to help get these offenders locked up and away from children," said David Clohessy of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Victims are also relieved to learn that Stone of Hope Boarding School in southwest Missouri has apparently closed, according to reports from neighbors and the disappearance of the school's website. It operated on the grounds of the former Agape School, and shared employees, land, students, and the same general business concept with the shuttered Agape School.
CONTACT: David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
***MEDIA RELEASE*** Abuse Survivors In Faith-based Care Publish Open Letter to New Zealand Prime Minister
25 October 2024
25 October 2024
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Parliament Office
Wellington 6160
NEW ZEALAND
We write to you as the New Zealand chapter of the world’s largest support group for women and men abused by religious and institutional authorities.
- Censure church leaders, especially those of New Zealand’s Catholic Church, for failure to prevent the widespread sexual abuse of citizens as found by the Abuse in Care Inquiry.
- Review New Zealand’s diplomatic ties with The Holy See. No religious institution should be entitled to expect to hold a privileged position sanctioned by our nation’s legislation and diplomatic arrangements.
- Repeal the Roman Catholic Bishops Empowering Act 1997 which provides unreasonable financial, juridical, and administrative power to unaccountable church leaders.
- Introduce mandatory reporting of sexual abuse including mandatory reporting by ministers of religion; and introduce new offences into our nation’s Crimes Act 1961, namely: 1) concealing child abuse; and 2) failing to report child abuse.
- Ensure that any involvement by officials of religious institutions in dealing with sexual abuse complaints is transparent; and that the processes and records of these dealings can be accessed by the judicial system with the consent of survivors.
- Criminalise concerted efforts by persons in authority through joint planning to hide cases of sexual abuse, foil investigations into sexual abuse complaints, incentivise victims to remain silent, or prevent information relating to a sexual assault from becoming public such as by use of nondisclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses.
- Ensure the legal system is recognised as the most appropriate forum in which to deal with church leaders perpetrating abuse and covering up abuse.
- Support survivors in accessing the legal system, and provide the financial and legal support they need to pursue claims of sexual abuse against religious authorities, their agencies, and institutions.
- Remove fiscal benefits, charitable status, and taxation concessions from religious institutions that fail to adequately support survivors, or fail to actively prevent abuse, including those who fail to remove abusers.
- Stop taxpayers paying through our ACC for the consequences of sexual abuses within religious institutions, and ensure religious authorities accept responsibility for ongoing payments and care of survivors.
- Ensure the accountability of bishops and other senior leaders of religious institutions by establishing in law that the relationship between senior religious leaders and their ministers of religion is an employment relationship.
P.O. Box 40 812, Upper Hutt 5140, NEW ZEALAND
( +64 (0)22 3440496
Thank you.
Archdiocese of Los Angeles settles survivors’ lawsuits
For Immediate Release: October 16, 2024
Just today the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to 1,353 victims of clergy sexual abuse who filed lawsuits in the civil window that closed in 2022. This is the largest settlement ever paid by the Church to date. Only a few lawsuits remain pending against the Archdiocese.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful to the survivors who stood up for their rights and for all victims by filing civil actions. While the settlement agreed to today is for a record amount, we know that no amount of money can ever truly compensate these brave men and women for the damage they suffered as children. However, we hope that these monies will bring some measure of healing to those who came forward.
The Archdiocese is the largest in the United States, with over 4 million adherents who attend 300 churches.
“The LA Times reported that over 300 perpetrators have been accused in public records of sexually abusing children, yet SNAP’s list of abusers associated with the Archdiocese has over 500 names,” said SNAP Board of Directors Treasurer Dan McNevin. “We fear and believe there are many more survivors out there who have not yet come forward. It is incumbent on Archbishop José H. Gomez to find a way to bring those lost souls in from the cold.”
SNAP believes that this settlement is a good start, but that much work remains to be done. Parishioners and the public deserve the entire truth about who the accused were, as well as who enabled the perpetrators and covered up the crimes. We hope that as a part of the Archbishop’s atonement, that he pledges to release all clergy personnel files related to all these cases, updates his list of abusers, and announces enhanced safeguards to protect today’s children.
CONTACT: Dan McNevin, SNAP Board of Directors Treasurer ([email protected], 415-341-6417), Joey Piscitelli, SNAP Northern California ([email protected], 925-262-3699), Dorothy Small, SNAP Sacramento Area Leader, ([email protected], 530-908-3676), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Catholic officials quietly admit priest is "credibly accused" molester
Apparently without notifying parents, parishioners or the public, Toledo Catholic officials quietly admitted this year that another of their priests molested at least one child.
On Bishop Daniel Thomas' website, evidently with no word to current or former church-goers or his one-time co-workers, the Bishop deemed at least one child sexual abuse allegation against Fr. Michael G. Madden to be "substantiated" and added his name to the list of "credibly accused" Toledo area clerics. We believe this posting was made within the last two weeks. Fr. Madden died in 2007, after working in the diocese for more than 40 years.
Toledo officials did not disclose how many abuse reports Fr. Madden faced. Nor did they reveal when his victims spoke up or what diocesan staffers did when that happened. Accordingly, it's unclear whether the priest was accused while he was alive and if so, whether law enforcement was contacted.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, cannot help but wonder how many other abusive clerics the Diocese might still be hiding, or which others the Diocese has acknowledged without public notification? The 2002 Dallas Charter promised parishioners and the public that Catholic bishops would be open and transparent about clergy sex crimes, but Bishop Thomas does not appear to be honoring this pledge.
Fr. Madden was at nearly a dozen churches throughout northwest Ohio during his career, which began in 1962. He worked at St. Rose Catholic Parish in Lima, St. Wendelin Parish in Fostoria, St. Michael Parish in Kelley’s Island, Mother of Sorrow Parish in Put-in-Bay, St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Martin and Bono, two parishes in Sandusky (Holy Angels Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Parish) and four parishes in Toledo (St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Community of the Risen Christ, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and St. Catherine Parish.
In addition, Fr. Madden worked at the St. Bernadine Home in Fremont, at Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan, at what was then the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, and with Retrouvaille (a program for couples with troubled marriages).
A native of Sandusky and graduate of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Fr. Madden attended Saint Meinrad Seminary College in Indiana, St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati, and Xavier University in Cincinnati.
We hope anyone who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Madden's crimes will find some long overdue consolation in the fact that he's finally been publicly exposed as an abuser, even if this disclosure was apparently not done publicly. Despite the fact that Catholic officials have long claimed that they're now being transparent about their sex offending clerics, this does not seem to be what happened in Toledo this year.
We also hope that anyone who may have been hurt by Fr. Madden will find the strength to tell trusted sources like friends, family, therapists or support groups like ours.
CONTACT: Claudia Vercellotti, SNAP Toledo ([email protected], 419-345-9291), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814- 341-8386)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Federal judge denies request to open sealed records in Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s bankruptcy; SNAP is saddened by the decision
For Immediate Release: October 3, 2024
This week, a federal judge denied the Wisconsin Attorney General’s request to review the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s sealed bankruptcy records as part of an investigation into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church . SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is saddened by this ruling, which in our view does not make the protection of children the priority.
Attorney General Josh Kaul argued in his request that the sealed claims meant that some abusers could have gotten away with their crimes, and that some survivors never got the justice they deserved. We agree wholeheartedly with AG Kaul, and we hope that, if he is able, he will appeal this short-sighted ruling.
In response to the decision, the attorney for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said that, “Judge [G. Michael] reasserts the bankruptcy court’s finding at the time that because the abuse happened so long ago in the 1950s-70s, there are no longer any public safety concerns."
Sadly, it is simply not true that those who abuse boys and girls cease to become a threat as they age. In fact, child predators very rarely stop without outside intervention. This ruling may very well mean that today’s children could be harmed by some of these unidentified men and women.
The Archdiocesan attorney also asserted that a review of the records “would have been devastating to abuse survivors who see this case as closed, and want their claim kept under seal by the court.” We are incredulous that the Catholic Church purports to speak on behalf of those victimized. Most, if not all, only suffered life-long injuries because of decisions made by that entity.
In fact, in our experience, most survivors come forward because they do not want another child to experience what happened to them. We suspect that most, if not all, would welcome seeing their abusers held accountable for their crimes.
Vermont Catholic bishop filed for bankruptcy on Monday; SNAP concerned
For Immediate Release: October 2, 2024
On Monday, the Catholic bishop of Vermont filed for bankruptcy in the face of 31 lawsuits for child sexual abuse. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is concerned that by employing this legal tactic, the Diocese will avoid accountability for past actions that resulted in life-long injuries to innocent boys and girls.
In fact, we suspect that the real motive behind the decision is to prevent disclosures about what happened to these brave survivors as children, as well as the knowledge that the Diocese could have prevented that harm in most, if not all, the cases. As the cherry on top for Bishop McDermott, a bankruptcy will also mean that the recoveries to the victims will be severely reduced.
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