Suspended predator priest “retires;” SNAP responds
Sorry, “retirement” doesn’t cut it. Bishops promised to oust child molesting clerics, not let them voluntarily step down.
Bishop Sheridan should immediately turn over to law enforcement every single piece of paper in Fr. Manning’s personnel file. He should personally go to every church where Fr. Manning worked, even briefly (because it takes just seconds for an adult to shove his hands in a child’s pants) and clearly beg victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to call police. He should post notices in every parish bulletin and every church website and on his own diocesan site and in his diocesan publications. He should explain why Fr. Manning “disappeared” from the Official Catholic Directory in 2002, when the church’s abuse and cover up crisis exploded into public view. He should explain why a St. Louis archdiocesan priest was quietly moved to Colorado. He should take Fr. Manning’s passport so he can’t flee the country. And he should put Fr. Manning in a remote, secure, independently-run treatment center for sex offenders so Manning will be away from kids.
Anyone who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Manning’s crimes has a moral and civic duty to protect kids by contact law enforcement.
Read the story here: http://www.gazette.com/news/colorado-132852-springs-manning.html
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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