PA - Philly archbishop seeks national post
Clergy sex abuse victims urge him to withdraw
They want him instead to focus on protecting local kids
Group also urges Chaput to “stop importing predators”
They are still being housed at a church facility in Downingtown
WHAT
Holding signs at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will urge Philly’s top Catholic official to
--drop out of the race for presidency of the US’ bishops organization, and
--stop letting out-of-state predator priests move to Downingtown.
WHEN
Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE
Outside the Philadelphia Catholic Archdiocese headquarters (chancery office), 222 N. 17th in Philadelphia. PA
WHY
Yesterday, candidates for the presidency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops were announced. The head of the Philadelphia archdiocese, Archbishop Charles Chaput, is one of ten prelates in the running. The election will be held next month in Baltimore. http://www.usccb.org/news/2013/13-186.cfm
SNAP opposes this move and is asking Chaput to withdraw his name. The group feels his promotion would “rub even more salt into the already deep and still-fresh wounds of Philly Catholics and abuse victims.” SNAP also thinks Chaput should focus his efforts on “protecting Philly kids, not on burnishing his clerical career.”
SNAP also wants Chaput to stop “importing” of predator priests from elsewhere into the Philly archdiocese. Church officials house them at St. John Vianney Center in Downingtown. (The group will reveal a list of three such out-of-state priests who have been or are at Vianney Center.)
According to BishopAccountability.org, there are 133 publicly accused Philly area child molesting Catholic clerics. Given this fact, SNAP believes that it’s risky for Chaput to let other bishops send their predator priests here. It would be better, SNAP says, if these sex offenders were put in remote, secure, independently run facilities staffed by professionals, not clerics.
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747, [email protected],
Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688, [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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