United Methodists to contribute to the Boy Scout's bankruptcy plan
A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Tuesday pushed the confirmation hearing for the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) Chapter 11 plan back a month, saying there are too many depositions to take and too many legal issues to sort out to start the hearing in January. According to Law360.com, Congregations affiliated with the United Methodist Church have agreed to contribute $30 million to a fund for victims who say they were molested as youngsters in the Boy Scouts of America, an attorney said Tuesday.
Representatives may claim that bankruptcy is a way to ensure that all victims receive a payout, but this a dodge. This is not about the cost of these cases but simply about keeping secrets as they are, a secret. We hope victims and their counsel join with us in voicing outrage over these legal tactics and demand the transparency these organizations promised so long ago.
We are reading the headlines differently. When religious organizations such as the Mormons or the Methodists offer contributions to the BSA bankruptcy trust, they are acknowledging their participation in harm that was inflicted upon thousands of young children and teens. When we hear of the Catholic Church negotiating an amount to contribute, red flags are raised. We see these offers as a buyout of the liability that has long been held by victims. We think the $30 Million now and $100 million later pledged by the UMC is cheap and shortchange for the harm they've caused. We'd like to know how many religious chaplains abused kids, and whether they are alive, and where they are now.
We believe it is necessary for this BSA sexual abuse debacle to never be repeated, that is complete transparency. We hope the judge, in exchange for the liability releases, demands that the entirety of the relationships among these organizations be made public. In addition, Insurers need to become more victim-centered versus participatory in a cover-up, which too can help eliminate a repeat of such horrid crimes.
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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