The Vatican Finally Takes Action in the Diocese of Buffalo
According to reports, the Vatican has tapped Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn to lead an investigation into embattled Buffalo prelate Richard Malone. Such an investigation is the least that the Vatican can do in a diocese that has seen a whistle-blower go public, a seminarian come forward about abuse and cover-up, and secret recordings reveal ham-fisted attempts at controlling the narrative.
We cannot help but notice, however, that just a few months ago Catholic officials were touting yet another 'new policy' in which the bishop from the biggest diocese in the state would 'investigate' wrongdoing by bishops from smaller dioceses. So that would mean that New York's Cardinal Tim Dolan would be looking into the Buffalo diocesan mess. But not surprisingly, as so often happens, church officials have ignored their own promises and procedures, offering no real explanation other than this alleged probe is "not subject" to that just-enacted policy. As we have noted for ages, powerful church prelates handle every case in whatever way is most convenient for themselves, irrespective of policies, protocols, procedures or promises.
Bishop DiMarzio has a checkered past when it comes to cases of clergy abuse and just last year was found to have ignored his own safety protocols in hiring a priest who had been accused of abuse. Given this, it is hard to understand why it was Bishop DiMarzio who was chosen for this task.
Yet while the situation in Buffalo has finally gained the Vatican’s attention, we know that the situation was already being monitored by federal law enforcement officials. Regardless of what Bishop DiMarzio finds in his own internal investigation, we will be looking to the investigations done by professionals in law enforcement and New York Attorney General Letitia James to finally handle the scandal engulfing Buffalo.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 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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