Victims to KC Bishop: You broke legal promises, didn’t report
For immediate release
Victims to KC Bishop: You broke legal promises, didn’t report
Man banned from parish may have abused, SNAP believes
Survivors demand oversight committee, public meeting
Public deserves accountability, they say
What: At a press conference, survivors of sexual abuse and their supporters will attempt to hand-deliver a letter to the Kansas City Catholic Bishop about a man recently banned from church properties for improper behavior around children. The letter:
- Asks why a parishioner—instead of a church official—was the person who reported the banned man to police
- Demands that the church and diocese turn over all information on the man to law enforcement
- States that the bishop broke his promises to victims in a 2009 sex abuse settlement
They also:
- Demand a moderated public meeting with the bishop, parishioners, parents, and SNAP to address safety concerns
- Ask that the diocese work with victims and their attorneys to install a third-party sexual abuse prevention oversight committee
Where/When: Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 1 pm
Outside the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph Hedaquarters
20 West Ninth Street in Kansas City
Who:
Sister Jeanne Christensen, the former victim’s assistance person for diocese, and
Attorney Rebecca Randles, who helped victims write the non-economic terms of the 2008 settlement
Why: Last week, the Diocese of Kansas City announced that a 70-year-old parishioner and volunteer has been banned from all of the church’s properties for “inappropriate interactions with children,” “violating safe boundaries” with children, and violating a “written agreement” about safe boundaries. http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article125995379.html
Since the story broke, SNAP has received reports from parishioners at St. Patrick's that the man has engaged in potentially criminal behaviors that merit police involvement. SNAP has reported those behaviors to Kansas City Police. The police told SNAP that a parishioner, not church officials, reported the man earlier this week.
Complete details of the letter and the group’s demands will be distributed at the press conference.
Contact:
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