Abuse survivors, their loved ones, advocates and others gathered June 4 to listen to talks and presentations that reflected on two decades of scandals and what the future may hold for the abuse crisis and reforms.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) sent a letter July 5 to Kansas City-St. Joseph Bishop James Johnston requesting he use a new protocol created by U.S. bishops to block resigned Bishop Robert Finn and retired Bishop Joseph Hart from ministry and all church meetings and activities.
Commentary: There are solid, practical steps the U.S. bishops can take right now to protect kids, expose wrongdoers and heal the wounded — no Vatican approval necessary.
After a flurry of leadership resignations, members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests gathered for their annual conference, and continued to navigate the advocacy group's transition.
The string of resignations comes two months after SNAP quietly settled a lawsuit with a former employee who accused the group of a "kickback" scheme where it referred abuse survivors to attorneys in exchange for donations.
The apology was part of a settlement between SNAP and Fr. Joseph Jiang, who had sued the group and the parents of a boy who accused him of sexual abuse, charges that were dropped.
