3 Steps New Boston Archbishop Should Take
on Day 1, According to SNAP

Statement by SNAP New England Coordinators
SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
July 1, 2003

Ann Hagan Webb, 781-239-1182, 617-513-8442
Bill Gately, 508-743-0297

"At this critical time in the Archdiocese of Boston, we in the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests call upon our new Archbishop to take three immediate steps.

For Victims: We recommend that the new Archbishop appoint two SNAP approved victim representatives to his review board. This will be the beginnings of a relationship of trust between survivor/victims and the new Archbishop.

For Laity: We recommend that the new archbishop immediately lift the ban on Voice of the Faithful. Doing this will show that he understands the value of genuine, independent lay voices in healing this fractured, dispirited church.

For Children and their Safety: We recommend that the new archbishop immediately issue a public call to lawmakers to extend or eliminate the criminal and civil statues of limitations on childhood sexual abuse. Doing this will show that he understands how crucial the involvement of law enforcement is in preventing abuse.

Overall, to restore hope and confidence in so many who have been directly and indirectly wounded by this crisis, we recommend that the new archbishop take these and other immediate, tangible steps first, and save the symbolic steps for later.

Too much time has passed and too much pain has been inflicted to do otherwise. These critical times demand substantive action, not merely nice gestures."