At Least Seven More McCarrick Survivors Come Forward, SNAP Urges Outreach
At least seven more men have come forward to allege that a now-disgraced cardinal abused them as children. We applaud these survivors for coming forward and hope that these men are getting the help and support that they need.
Sadly, these latest allegations against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick are likely not the last. Studies have shown time and again that that most cases of sexual violence are never reported in the first place. This is why it is critical that church officials use their substantial resources and standing to warn parishioners and the public about abusers, urge victims and witnesses to make reports to police, and, critically, continue to do so regularly.
Even more importantly, this is why we believe that civil authorities such as Attorneys General or state police should open investigations into the dioceses into their state, armed with subpoena power and the ability to compel testimony under oath. We know that institutions cannot police themselves and that the best way for the fullest truth to emerge is for all records to be reviewed by independent professionals in law enforcement.
This is especially critical for the safety of children, as we also know that there is no special age at which an abuser stops abusing. There have been many cases where abusers have gone on to abuse again, despite being monitored as McCarrick supposedly is. We hope that church officials in Kansas will warn the public about McCarrick’s presence and that their colleagues in every diocese in which he served will again reach out to their flocks to share this news and urge other victims to come forward.
This story is further proof that it is impossible to fully know the depth of abuse and perpetrated by religious figures like McCarrick. That these men have come forward now is exactly why we constantly ask church officials to continue outreach efforts to victims and survivors, not simply make a simple public statement after abuse allegations are revealed.
CONTACT: Becky Ianni, Washington D.C. Leader and Board Treasurer ([email protected], 703-801-6044), 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
Showing 1 comment
In 2019 Archbishop Lori of Baltimore and 5 lay experts revealed that a sexual harassment allegation was filed against Bishop Gordon Bennett (a Jesuit) in May 2006 and Bennett will no longer be able to perform any priestly or episcopal ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
It is a sad irony that the Jesuit Order installed Bishop Bennett in a prestigious position at Loyola Marymount University, with its 9000 young adults, in August 2008, only 2-years after the recent allegation against Bennett of sexual harassment of a young adult.