OH- On Friday, murderer/priest to get “full honors” funeral
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
Toledo Catholic officials are not relenting. They have announced that on Friday they will give a funeral with “fully priestly honors” to a murderer, even as a third national organization has criticized them for the move.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Religion/2014/07/09/Funeral-arrangements-announced-for-Robinson.html
We are grateful there's still time for church employees and members to object to this stunningly heartless act. We hope they will.
Earlier this week, the Boston-based Voice of the Faithful wrote to Father Charles Ritter, the “administrator” or temporary head of the Toledo diocese, criticizing funerals plans for Fr. Gerald Robinson, who was convicted of murdering Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl. So too has NSAC, the National Survivors Advocate Coalition, and our group.
It's a clear choice for Fr. Ritter and his clerical colleagues: side with one guilty priest or with many innocent victims. Show compassion for one deceased adult who did wrong or for many living adults who are blameless.
A simple, private funeral hurts no one. An ostentatious public funeral hurts many.
We hope Toledo Catholic officials will reverse their painful decision.
(For a copy of VOTF's letter, contact Donna B. Doucette, Executive Director, 1-781-559-3360, [email protected]. A copy of the SNAP/NSAC letter is available at SNAPnetwork.org)
For more information: Claudia Vercellotti of Toledo 419 345 9291, [email protected], Barbara Blaine (a Toledo native) 312-399-4747, [email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected], Kristine Ward of Dayton 937 272 0308
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