SNAP is not surprised by the verdict handed down today in the first sexual abuse trial in the Vatican
Fr. Gabriele Martinelli was cleared of abusing his authority as a more senior seminarian to force another seminarian into “carnal acts.” The former rector of the seminary, Rev. Enrico Radice, was also cleared of charges that he covered up the senior seminarian's abuse. Troublingly, the Vatican tribunal found evidence that Fr. Martinelli had engaged in the crime of the corruption of a minor, but it said that the statute of limitations had expired.
Fr. Martinelli was the seminarian at the St. Pius X youth seminary who determined who was assigned as altar boys at papal masses. Although the complaint against the senior seminarian was known to the Pope and other Church officials in 2013, no action was taken until 2019, when the accusations were covered by the Italian media. By that time, Fr. Martinelli had already been a priest for two years.
We stand with the victim in this case, and it comes as no surprise to us that the tribunal concluded the trial by absolving both Fr. Martinelli and Rev. Radice. In our experience most internal Church proceedings protect clergy. However, we are very concerned that the Vatican court was unable to take action against Fr. Martinelli for the charges of corruption of a minor since the former seminarian has been a priest since 2017. We fear that there may be other victims who suffered at the hands of Fr. Martinelli as he was allowed to continue his rise within the Church.
We also are extremely concerned as to why the Pope did not act sooner on the warnings he received against Fr. Martinelli in 2013. It took the Vatican six years to bring an indictment, and even then we suspect it only did so in the face of public scrutiny into the case.
While the Vatican trial may have ended in disappointment for the survivor, Fr. Martinelli and Rev. Radice have also been indicted in an Italian court based on the same accusations. We hope that the secular investigation will produce a just outcome for the victim, as well as one that will protect today's children.
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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