The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) speak about the bankruptcy filing of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (AOB).
(For Immediate Release)
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) speaks about the bankruptcy filing of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (AOB).
The AOB does not include parish assets in its declaration of assets but desires to have parishes protected by bankruptcy filing. They can’t have it both ways.
Survivors and supporters will attend the hearing to make their presence known to the bankruptcy judge followed by a protest at the Baltimore courthouse
WHAT: A sidewalk news conference, abuse survivors and advocates who are part of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, will demand that the AOB drop its bankruptcy filing in order to protect the patrimony of the Church. We will point out the hypocrisy of church officials. We will demand that survivors be allowed to tell their stories in open court because justice requires it. For those who suffered from child sex crimes committed in the Archdiocese, there is no upside to this cruel and, in our opinion, unjustified legal tactic. SNAP believes that children, not secrets and assets, are what need to be protected.
WHEN: Tuesday 10/3/23 noon
WHERE: In front of the United States District Court in Baltimore.101 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201
WHO: Abuse survivors and advocates, including the Maryland SNAP Leader David Lorenz, call out the lies and half-truths being promulgated by the AOB
WHY: Specifically, SNAP is requesting the following:
The AOB withdraw the bankruptcy filing and provide justice to victims by allowing them to tell their story in open court if they wish
Petition the bankruptcy judge, Michelle Harner, to reject the bankruptcy filing given that it is premature and filled with inconsistencies.
Reach out to survivors and let them know that they are not alone and that there is support available to them
Once again call on Archbishop Lori to be transparent and open about the abusers within the Catholic Church as well as those officials who knowingly enabled and protected those abusers
CONTACT: Dave Lorenz, SNAP Maryland ([email protected], 301-906-9161), Teresa Lancaster, SNAP Member, 410- 703- 9122. [email protected] Mike McDonnell, Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 267-261-0578
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org.)
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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