SNAP Legal Action

The landing page for all information related to the SNAP and CCR filing in the International Criminal Court which names Pope Benedict and other church officials in a lawsuit alleging systemic human rights violations. Here you will find important documents and fact sheets, and will also be able to show your support for abuse survivors.

Welcome to the landing page for all things related to the SNAP and CCR lawsuit filed against Vatican officials and Pope Benedict for human rights violations. Below you will find informative documents and links to other important websites.

SNAP and CCR file supplemental evidence on April 11, 2012

  • Read the supplemental filing here

Editorials by SNAP Leadership on the ICC filing:

  • Op-ed by David Clohessy, SNAP Director, in the Star-Tribune: Read it here.
  • Op-ed by Barbara Blaine, SNAP President. in the Guardian: Read it here.

Documents, News, and Fact Sheets:

  1. Press release
  2. Press advisory for DC and NYC
  3. Facts of the case
  4. Complete text of the filing communication to the ICC
  5. Statements by SNAP Leaders
  6. Biographies of SNAP and CCR members involved
  7. List of cities on the Europe tour and times of events
  8. ICC Letter from Prosecution 
  9. "Abuse Victims ask Court to Prosecute the Vatican"- New York Times
  10. "Hague Court Declines Inquiry into Church Abuse Cover-up"- New York Times

Links for more information:

What experts on law and religion are saying:

  • "The legal situation is not yet clear," but that the dossier submitted "re-opens the question over a cover-up in the 1980s and 1990s. The problem remains that the Vatican has not opened its archives and has not even launched an international investigation into its dioceses around the world." - Marco Politi, Vatican Expert and commentator for Il Fatto Quotidiano. Taken from the Montreal Gazette. 
  • "It is a very slim avenue, but it's an avenue nonetheless," - Lorraine Smith, International Bar Association. Taken from Reuters. 
  • "You get a great deal of publicity," "And you put new pressure on the national courts, letting them know that if they don't prosecute there are alternatives." - William Burke White, Deputy Dean and Professer of Law at UPenn. Taken from the Bellingham Herald.
  •  "At least since 2001-2002, [Pope Benedict] has at least had primary responsibility for these cases," "It's unlikely that the court will take this up, but they won't be able to dismiss it easily. They may have to open up a preliminary investigation." - Laurie Goodstein, Religion correspondent for the New York Times. Taken from PRI.
  • "Jurisdiction is a hurdle. "The court has handled war crimes, but the argument can be made that the abuse of children is as tragic and heinous as anything. It's a crime against humanity." - Mike Pfau, Seattle attorney. Taken from the Seattle Times.
  • The complaint to the ICC "suddenly reframes the issue in the public consciousness." - Tim Kosnoff, Seattle attorney. Taken from the Seattle Times.
  • "The ICC filing marks the most substantive effort yet to hold the pope and Vatican accountable in an international court for sexual abuse by priests." - Nathan Koppel, WSJ contributor. Taken from the Wall Street Journal.
  • "The Holy See is a sovereign, which like all other sovereigns, must be accountable for violations of human rights.  SNAP's action under the ICC is timely and appropriate.  If successful, it will secure more protection for children not just against the Holy See, but all sovereigns." - Marci A. Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Yeshiva University

 

Media Statements

New Jersey Catholic Cardinal launches new probe of Seton Hall; SNAP calls it “unnecessary”

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2025 

Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark said on Monday that he had hired a law firm to conduct a “comprehensive third-party review” of a 2019 investigation into sexual abuse at Seton Hall University. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, calls the new investigation unnecessary. The group believes that it is nothing more than a tactic to delay the resolution of the issue of Monsignor Joseph Reilly’s appointment as President of Seton Hall. SNAP spoke out against the Monsignor’s appointment at the time, and asked for complete transparency. We still believe that this is the best way to resolve the controversy.

Although Monsignor Reilly was not himself accused of abuse, the 2019 investigation found that he knew about accusations of abuse on campus and did not report them as required. In reaction to the probe's findings, a "Responsive Action Plan" was developed, and a special task force was formed to carry out disciplinary actions. The task force recommended the Monsignor's removal from Seton Hall boards and leadership. The priest left the Board of Trustees and then stepped down as dean of the seminary. Less than three years after Monsignor Reilly was quietly sidelined, he was restored to active service, culminating in his elevation to the powerful position of University president.

New Jersey SNAP Leader, Mark Crawford wonders, “Why would we need an investigation of the original investigation?  Why would anyone believe this isn’t a cover up of the cover up?  Cardinal Tobin simply needs to release the original report to the public. Who would trust a report on the report?”


Abuse group seeks NFL probe of New Orleans Saints

Victims upset that the franchise helped Catholic officials

They charge that the Saints' conduct was detrimental to survivors

The nation's leading support group for clergy sexual abuse victims says that top officials with the New Orleans Saints flaunted National Football League (NFL) goals by working with Catholic officials to hide predators, thus endangering children and further wounding abuse victims. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) wants the NFL to open an investigation into the Saint's actions.

The Saints are accused of colluding with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to modify the Archbishop’s list of abusers, pressure elected officials to turn a blind eye to the scandal, and to influence public opinion by putting pressure on media outlets to curtail their coverage. Drawn into this web of deceit are judges, lawyers and the ultra-rich. SNAP issued an earlier statement on the recent revelations about the disturbing involvement of the Saints in the Archdiocesan crisis.

Louisiana SNAP leader, Letitia Peyton, says in response to the news coverage, "The New Orleans Saints, the Catholic Church, and every institution wielding influence over our communities must do more than protect their own reputations. Prioritizing PR over survivors perpetuates harm."

In contrast, in response to the same media reports, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, called the New Orleans Saints a "great corporate citizen."


New report says 17 accused abusers are/were at IHOP; SNAP responds

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2025 

 

According to a new report, at least 17 former or current staff members at the Kansas City-based International House of Prayer (IHOP) including founder Mike Bickle, are accused of sexual crimes and misdeeds. For the safety of the public, we hope that the additional 16 names are soon made public as well.

We also hope that a similar investigation into accusations at an orphanage run by a Union MO-based non-profit, Ninos de Mexico, due out later this year, will be even more thorough and detailed than the IHOP probe.

The scathing report on IHOP describes “a longstanding culture of systemic abuse and cover-up” within the community that apparently goes much deeper than just the wrongdoing of a few officials at the top.

We hope that law enforcement officials, in Missouri and elsewhere, will digest and circulate the information in this report. We hope they will use every means possible to beg others with knowledge or suspicions of similar crimes and cover-ups to come forward, so that at least a few of these accused abusers may face justice in court.

We also applaud the courage of Deborah Perkins, Tammy Woods, Terry Hartley, the Jane and John Does, and each person who found the strength and courage to report the horrors they endured. Society owes them a debt of gratitude and they deserve to be praised and thanked for their bravery and compassion.

We also hope that a similar investigation into accusations of crimes at an orphanage run by the Union MO-based Ninos de Mexico, due out later this year, will be even more thorough and detailed than the IHOP probe.


Maryland's highest court upholds ending statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits; SNAP delighted

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2025 

 

On Monday, the Supreme Court of Maryland upheld the constitutionality of a state law that ended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is ecstatic that the state’s highest court reached this decision.

 

Maryland SNAP leader David Lorenz called this ruling “a victory for survivors.” He continued, “They will finally get their chance at justice and being able to expose the predators that harmed them. The Catholic Church has not done that, and this law will allow that to happen."

 


NJ Catholic diocese used secret court hearing to block investigation of clergy sex abuse; SNAP outraged

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2025 

New Jersey's attorney general launched an investigation into abuse by Roman Catholic clergy in the state more than five years ago. However, court documents recently obtained by The Record and NorthJersey.com revealed that the Diocese of Camden succeeded in quashing a key part of the investigation at a secret hearing almost two years ago. Representatives from all five of the state’s Catholic dioceses attended that proceeding. The ruling has now been appealed to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is outraged at this action by the New Jersey Catholic dioceses. As local SNAP leader Mark Crawford told Deena Yellin, the reporter who broke the story, “The bishops promised the public they would cooperate fully with the investigation, but meanwhile they secretly took this action to fight it."


More information on the involvement of major league sports teams in New Orleans with the Catholic Archdiocese’s list of abusers; SNAP reacts

For Immediate Release: February 3, 2025 

An in-depth report released today by Ramon Antonio Vargas of the Guardian and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana revealed that high-level executives with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints football team and the NBA’s Pelicans basketball team had a deeper role than previously known in connection with the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ list of “credibly accused” clergymen. SNAP is certainly not surprised by these revelations.

When powerful institutions get together to hide something, the weak and vulnerable are inevitably the ones who are harmed. The news that two professional sports teams coordinated with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to apparently hide the names of abusers should signal that the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church is more widespread and insidious than anyone could possibly imagine. 


North Carolina Supreme Court Upholds the SAFE Child Act, SNAP applauds

For Immediate Release: February 3, 2025 

On January 31, 2025, the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the state's civil window for survivors of child sexual abuse. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful that the state’s highest court upheld the SAFE Child Act. However, we cannot help but wonder how many victims were discouraged from filing lawsuits when the constitutionality of the law was challenged.

The SAFE Child Act was unanimously adopted by state legislators on October 31, 2019. It allowed victims of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits in 2020 and 2021 against their perpetrators and the organizations who employed them. Years of work by many went into this law. Then Attorney General Josh Stein has stated that were it not for the testimony of North Carolina SNAP Leader Charles Bailey, the measure would not have passed.

Charles says in response to this decision, “My wife Sue and I attended the Supreme Court hearing on whether or not to uphold this law. It is so important to all involved that we can now move forward. The only way to eradicate this evil and crime is to expose those responsible and hold them accountable. Many thanks to the Supreme Court of North Carolina!“


Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre has reached settlement with survivors, SNAP weighs in

For Immediate Release: January 18, 2025 

After four years of bankruptcy proceedings, the Diocese of Rockville Centre has agreed to settle the claims brought by 600 survivors of child sexual for approximately $323 million. Payments should begin later this year. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, hopes that this process will bring some measure of healing to those who will receive compensation for the life-altering crimes they experienced.

PJ D'Amico, who is among those scheduled to receive restitution, noted the Diocese’s agreement to settle was " more like 'uncle' than 'do the right thing.'" Sadly, we cannot help but agree. As attorney Jeff Anderson observed, “Some survivors waiting on a settlement died before the case was resolved.”

In addition, there are many victims who have not come forward, and now will never be able to do so. One of the downsides of bankruptcy is that survivors who either do not remember their abuse or who are not ready to come forward by the bankruptcy bar date, but whose ordeals occurred before the bankruptcy was filed, are forever barred from filing a civil claim for damages. 

Of course, this is one of the attractions for Catholic Dioceses facing countless claims from those who were harmed because Church officials chose to protect predators instead of children. We hope that someday the federal law will be amended to ban this tactic being used by those who enable child sexual abuse.



Wrongful death & abuse suit moves ahead

Judge rules against Christian board school

Lawsuit is “unprecedented” says attorney

Sheriff’s department staffers are also named as defendants

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2025

A judge has ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit against a Christian boarding school in Missouri can move forward, rebuffing officials at the now-shuttered facility and local law enforcement who sought to have the case tossed out.

The 23 page decision was issued by U. S. District Judge Doug Harpool earlier this month.

In October 2023, Kathleen Britt sued staffers at Agape School in Stockton and the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, charging that her son Jason died after having been brutally gang-raped and emotionally abused at Agape.

Several employees of the facility and the sheriff’s department either committed, suspected or knew about Jason’s abuse but ignored or concealed it, according to the suit.


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