Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Catholic Church in California grapples with more than 3,000 lawsuits, alleging child sex abuse
By Alejandra Molina — May 26, 2023
(RNS) — Advocates have been left stunned by the number of cases that surfaced during this revival window.
14 Northern California clergy, religious linked for first time to Catholic sex abuse scandal
By Alejandra Molina — December 1, 2022
(RNS) — A window for filing new lawsuits under a 2019 California law for decades-old abuse will close Dec. 31.
An accused pastor’s suicide: The pain we see and the pain we don’t
By Christa Brown — November 5, 2019
(RNS) — When the Rev. Bryan Fulwider, an accused rapist, ended his life, he didn't end the pain his alleged victim feels. To the contrary, it may well bring greater hurt.
Unmarked buildings, quiet legal help for accused priests
By The Associated Press — July 29, 2019
DRYDEN, Mich. (AP) — A secretive network operating out of unmarked buildings in rural Michigan provides money, transportation, shelter and legal assistance to priests accused of abuse.
Faced with resurgent abuse crisis, Catholic prelates answer with more meetings
By David Clohessy — January 3, 2019
(RNS) — To those of us who’ve closely followed the Catholic Church’s distressing self-inflicted scandal for decades, the current flurry of meetings without action is depressingly familiar.
Clergy sex abuse: Why a national all-faiths inquiry is needed
By David Clohessy and Christa Brown — November 15, 2018
(RNS) — If we want our children to be safer, we cannot afford the comfortable delusion that this is an isolated problem.
Lawsuit settled, former SNAP director returns to the fight against abuse
By Eric Berger — September 26, 2018
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — David Clohessy's re-emergence is a reboot for the organization representing abuse survivors, two years after he resigned amid allegations of kickbacks from victims' attorneys.
Leading clergy abuse group to stay the course despite lawsuit, departures
By David Gibson — February 9, 2017
(RNS) The chair of the board of SNAP said it would focus on developing local support groups despite the upheaval.
Founder of clergy abuse group quits in second major loss following lawsuit
By David Gibson — February 4, 2017
(RNS) Barbara Blaine's surprise departure from SNAP follows a lawsuit by a former employee alleging that the organization colluded with lawyers to refer clients and profit from settlements.
Longtime leader of clergy victims group leaves as SNAP faces lawsuit
By David Gibson — January 24, 2017
(RNS) David Clohessy, longtime executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said his departure had nothing to do with allegations that the group colluded with plaintiff lawyers to profit from settlements.
Milwaukee archdiocese reaches $21 million settlement with abuse victims
By Reuters — August 4, 2015
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) The settlement will be filed as part of the church's plan to restructure in U.S. Bankruptcy Court more than four years after the archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Papal commission on sex abuse targets bishops, seeks to convince skeptics
By David Gibson — February 7, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Members will give Pope Francis recommendations on how to punish bishops who shield priests suspected of misconduct, one of several moves that are encouraging the two victims on the panel. But they also chided Francis for endorsing spanking.
Vatican sex abuse commission meets amid new hopes, old concerns
By David Gibson — February 6, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors," Pope Francis said.
Australians suggest celibacy played a role in clergy abuse scandal
By Josephine McKenna — December 12, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Obedience and closed environments also seem to have had a role in the prevalence of abuse within some religious orders and dioceses," the report said. "Obligatory celibacy may also have contributed to abuse.”
Sex abuse survivors angered by powerful Vatican cardinal’s testimony
By Josephine McKenna — August 22, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal George Pell said the church was no more responsible for cases of child abuse carried out by church figures than a trucking company would be if it employed a driver who molested women.
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