TX-- Former priest on trial for murder
For immediate release Monday, November 27
Statement by Barbara Dorris, [email protected], 314 503 0003
We hope the trial of former priest John Feit for the 1960 murder of Irene Garza will bring peace to her family. We also hope that the outcome is just for all parties.
http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_c6f31ff4-d252-11e7-8165-1b7bfbf51cb3.html
Now more than ever it is imperative that victims, witnesses and whistleblowers step forward and work with law enforcement. For too long, justice has been delayed in the Garza case. Justice delayed is justice denied.
We in SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, have followed this case closely for decades. As survivors of sexual abuse and experts in the continued cover-up of sexual abuse by institutions such as the Catholic Church, we know that this case will seem convoluted and that parts of it may discourage other victims from coming forward to talk about abuse. We want to make it clear that it is always safe to talk about abuse and cover-up, no matter the abuser.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 members. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
CONTACT
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Executive Director (314-503-0003, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix 949-322-7434, [email protected] or Melanie Sakoda 925-708-6175 [email protected], Tim Lennon 415 312 5820 [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