Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse Encouraged to Speak Out
AUSTIN, Texas — Thursday's public release by the Roman Catholic Church listing almost 300 former Texas priests was a long time coming for clergy sexual abuse survivors like Carol Midboe, who came forward years ago and now volunteers with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP.
"It's vital for people's sense of well-being and to know they are not alone," she said.
Midboe's still waiting to hear from new survivors to come forward. She said a priest abused her as a child, which she said caused more than just physical or emotional trauma.
"There is a religious spiritual injury that happens to children," she said. "Having a network of survivors of clergy sexual abuse provides peer support for people who can relate to that aspect of the spiritual injury."
Bishop Joe Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin said Thursday the church's focus is on children abused by the priests he and fellow clergy named. Of the 22 former priests named by the Diocese of Austin, Vásquez said most cases pre-date a policy implemented by the church in 2002 called Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, or EIM. It created an entire office within the church dedicated to rooting out abuse.
"Since 2002, we have had only three cases in the Diocese of Austin that have occured of clergymen abu...
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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Rich, MSW