NM - SNAP applauds sentencing for sex abuse case in NM
We are grateful that the Catholic employee, Anthony Martinez, was given the maximum sentence for his crimes against these two boys in Albuquerque. Children are always safer when predators are behind bars.
According to court documents, Martinez lied when he asked if he had ever committed similar sex crimes. Similarly, he has faced at least one more charge that we are aware of. It is clear that Martinez has a troubling history of sexual abuse and while we hope that no other children have suffered his crimes, we suspect that there are more victims.
We urge Archbishop Michael Sheehan to use all of vast resources to seek out and find others who may have been hurt by Martinez. We urge the same for officials at Santa Maria de la Paz Church in Albuquerque, where Martinez was last volunteering. Anyone who may have information about Martinez should immediately come forward to secular authorities, and help find more victims and deter future abuse.
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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