SNAP Applauds Sentencing of Conroe Priest and Demand Answers from Archdiocese
Clergy abuse survivors and supporters from SNAP gathered today at the sentencing of an abusive priest from Conroe, TX to show support for victims of clergy abuse and ensure that parishioners and the public are better informed about the extent of clergy abuse in Houston.
While they are grateful that Fr. Manuel LaRosa Lopez is no longer able to hurt other children, they are concerned about enablers within the Houston archdiocese and fear there are other priests still working who pose a danger to children and vulnerable adults.
“We are elated to know that this terrible saga is coming to an end with the sentencing of Manuel La Rosa Lopez and that he will be spending the next 10 years behind bars,” said Eduardo Lopez de Casas, leader of SNAP Houston. “We want to wish the best for his victims as they continue on their healing journey which unfortunately will last the rest of their lives.”
At the same time, SNAP Houston wants to be sure that other wrongdoers associated with LaRosa Lopez are not able to put other children in harm’s way. “Let us remind everyone that (Father) Manuel La Rosa Lopez remains a priest in the Galveston-Houston Diocese even with his admission of guilt,” said Lopez de Casas. “Now that LaRosa Lopez has been sentenced, the question that still needs to be answered is ‘why did Cardinal Daniel DiNardo allow this priest to continue in his ministry even after he knew of the accusations?’
This case is an example that the abuse crisis is not a thing of the past like church officials often claim. Victims of sexual abuse typically take years, often decades, to come forward and make a report of their abuse. This fact, combined with the recent inaction from church officials in Houston, underscore the critical need for a secular investigation into clergy abuse as has been done in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey. Parents and parishioners in Texas deserve transparency and answers.
SNAP is calling on church officials in Houston to explain their mishandling of the LaRosa Lopez case publicly. In order to protect children and show support for victims, church officials must be doing everything within their power to ensure another case like LaRosa Lopez’s is not allowed to happen.
CONTACT: Eduardo Lopez de Casas, SNAP Houston ( [email protected], 832 641 6319), Zach Hiner, Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
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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