Rome Diary, part 1
Monday
Off to the airport! We make the first flight easily and after a mad dash through the Atlanta airport we board the flight to Rome. We know we should sleep but are too excited and nervous! We land and catch the Leonardo Express into the city center. After a quick shower we are off to our first event. Great media coverage!
Our message was simple, the Pope still has days where he can make a difference and put into place some real reforms that will actually protect children.
By now it is Wednesday and we are ready to take on the world except our cell phones are not working. Off to phone store, electronic stores and then back again to the beginning. Internet cafes are not everywhere so planning is involved to stay connected. We have scouted locations for our next events, making contact with media, getting our bearings and learning the customs!
The city of Rome is erecting huge scaffolds outside the square. It is like little outdoor apartments for the media. The structures are about three stories high with cameras and reporters from around the globe. there are now three towers and all are full.
Thursday
The day started with an interview with Moscow TV. It's very exciting that our message has spread so far! Many news outlets rent the rooftops of buildings around the Vatican. Some are the roofs of apartment buildings and it is very clear that families normally inhabit them. This one had children's toys, barbecue pit and seating for a whole family.
The view from one side is of the Vatican. You can see many beautiful buildings and the park like setting. Mature trees, grass, some flowers already blooming and fountains. out the other side you could see "normal life" in Rome. Laundry hanging to dray, parents getting kids off to school and work. People have been so kind and helpful--they have helped us get our cell phones working, pointed us in the right direction when we were lost and held their laughter at our feeble attempts to order lunch in Italian (so glad pizza is everywhere, something I can pronounce)!
Our event was about the Vatican and how it has failed to file its report with the UN on the Convention on the Rights of the child. The report is at least ten years late, and that is only one of the ways they've broken the Convention. You will not be surprised to hear that the Vatican has:
--refused to co-operate with civil authorities
--moved predators to hide and cover-up crimes
--destroyed evidence and obstructed justice
--rewarded those involved in the cover-up
--blamed the victims
The Pope left the Vatican early evening without a great deal of fanfare. We did interviews as we walked.
Stay tuned for our next entry!
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 2 comments
It is the same method they taugh Bishops to deal with sex abuse cases. Sort of a religious razzle dazzle saying one thing while hoping no one notices the truth or has hard evidence.
For this and other reasons, I feel the sex scandals and abuse within the Catholic Church will continue and even find encouragement in the actions of the former pope.