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	Snap: Help US Protect the Vulnerable and Heal the Wounded Voice from the Desert March 12, 2010 http://reform-network.net/?p=2905 The following press release is dated 3.12.2010 and appeared on the SNAP website. SNAP Press Release Help us protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded Catholic sex scandal is “erupting” now in European nations It’s a global abuse and cover up crisis, demanding a secular solution Everyone who “saw, suspected or suffered clergy crimes to “speak up” WHO WE ARE We are clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), or we are loved ones of victims and/or concerned Catholics WHY WE’RE HERE We’re here because of the large and growing Catholic sex scandal in Europe. Hundreds of deeply wounded women and men who were raped, sodomized and molested by Catholic clergy have begun speaking up in recent weeks – exposing predators, calling law enforcement, protecting kids and healing themselves. We want to publicly express our sorrow for the pain of these courageous victims in Germany, Ireland, Austria and The Netherlands, and praise them for their bravery. WHAT WE WANT 1. We want individuals to understand and church officials to admit that the church’s horrific, on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis is world-wide, still happening, and demands truly effective steps by secular authorities to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded. 2. We also want governmental officials – here and Europe – to – conduct independent probes into cover ups of clergy sex crimes in Catholic schools and dioceses, and – reform archaic, arbitrary, “predator-friendly” laws that protect pedophiles and supervisors who employ, hide and transfer them. 3. We urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes – here, in Europe or anywhere – to call police (not bishops). When victims and witnesses stay silent, predators walk free and abuse keeps happening. But when victims and witnesses step forward, there’s at least a chance for prevention, justice and healing. HOW YOU CAN HELP – Ask current and former Catholics if they were abused (If so, urge them to seek help) – Ask current and former church employees if they have information about suspected clergy crimes. (If so, urge them to call police, prosecutors or our group.) – Contact governmental officials and prod them to consider launching independent investigations into secretive church institutions, so that vulnerable kids can be safe and wounded adults can be healed. FOR MORE INFORMATION Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,
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