Switzerland- Victims leaflet outside cathedral
Victims leaflet outside cathedral
They urge church members & staff to report suspicions
Group blasts Pope Francis for refusing to protect children
Catholic officials should encourage reporting to police
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers to passers-by encouraging anyone with information about sexual misconduct with children report and blasting Pope Francis and Catholic officials for refusing to protect children.
They will also urge church officials to “actively seek out” anyone who “saw, suspected or suffered” clergy sex or cover ups and beg them to call police and prosecutors so that kids might be safer.
WHEN
Tuesday, 14 January, 12:00 – 13:00
WHERE
On the sidewalk in front of Basilique Notre-Dame de Genève, Rue Argand 3, 1201 Genève
WHO
Three-four members of a support group for clergy sex abuse victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including a Chicago woman who is the organization’s President
WHY
For the first time ever a committee of the United Nations is calling Vatican officials to give an accounting about its own record on children’s rights, in particular the widespread and systemic rape and sexual violence against children. This historic meeting takes place here in Geneva while a culture of secrecy pervades the church across the globe.
Victims who want to ensure that others do not suffer as they did will pass out fliers prodding catholics, employees and former employees who have witnessed, experienced or suspect sex crimes to speak up and report it to police.
In a preliminary report Vatican officials dodged questions by the committee and claimed to be helpless while their own practices and policies provide cover for and enable sexual violence by church employees across the globe. SNAP wants victims and witnesses to report what the Vatican officials keep hidden.
The flier also blasts Pope Francis for refusing to punish bishops who endanger kids and protect predators. Pope Francis has not taken any action to protect children. Francis should be judged on his actions to protect children not his statements about caring for the poor. Suggested benchmarks to judge the new pope include whether he turns over evidence of sex crimes to police and when bishops who protect priest predators are punished and fired.
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine (mobile +1 312 399 4747, Hotel in Geneva HN Rex +41 22 544 74 74 Room 205) [email protected]
Mary Caplan (mobile +1 917 439 4187, Hotel in Geneva HN Rex +41 22 544 74 74 Room 302) [email protected]
David Clohessy (mobile +1 314 566 9790, Home in St Louis +1 314 645 5915, [email protected])
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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