Advisory: Groups seek Vatican’s help re: Springfield bishop

SNAP files formal complaint about him to Vatican
Two men hurt by local clerics speak for the first time
They name 2 'already outed' Spgfld area predator priests
Victims want to speak to big upcoming diocesan assembly

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will announce that their group is filing with the Vatican (under a new and little-known church process) a lengthy formal complaint charging that Springfield's bishop is deliberately protecting predator priests and making it harder for victims to report abuse.
Two Illinois men will also speak publicly for the first time about the childhood suffering they experienced. One man was molested by a local priest. The other was molested by his brother who was molested by a different local priest.
The group will also:

• use chalk to write on the sidewalk the names of proven, admitted &/or credibly accused child molesting clerics who are or were in the Springfield Diocese but are NOT on the official diocesan 'credibly accused' list, and

• ask Springfield's bishop to let victims them speak later this month at a diocese-wide assembly.  
  

WHEN
Thursday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 pm

WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence in downtown Springfield IL

WHO
Four-five victims of predator priests who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (including a St. Louis man who is the group's long-time executive director)

WHY

1. The two victims who are speaking for the first time are identifying predator priests who are listed on the official Springfield Diocese 'credibly accused' abusers list, which can be found here: https://dio.org/promise/

2. Earlier this year, Pope Francis permanently established the first-ever process through which formal complaints can be filed with the Vatican against bishops who hide or improperly deal with child sexual  abuse. SNAP is submitting such a complaint charging that Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki deters victims from speaking up and continues to "hide and protect predators, endangering the vulnerable and re-victimizing the wounded."

3. The victims are asking Paprocki, via letter, to let them speak about their suffering at a widely-promoted diocese-wide gathering later this month. The unusual event is expected to draw hundreds or thousands to the Springfield Convention Center. https://dio.org/revival-bos/
   "Most Catholics have never heard from a clergy abuse survivor," said David Clohessy of SNAP. "It would be very healing and validating for any of us to be given this opportunity."

4. SNAP charges that Paprocki refuses to make his official 'credibly accused' list thorough and accurate. At four news conferences in recent years, the group has prodded the bishop to add names of more than a dozen clerics who are or were in Springfield, have been deemed 'credibly accused' by Catholic officials elsewhere, but are NOT on his 'accused' list.
   
   A more thorough list of proven, admitted &/or credibly accused Springfield clerics is here:
   https://www.bishop-accountability.org/dioceses/usa-il-springfield/

   
   NOTE - Copies of SNAP's complaint to the Vatican and letter to Paprocki will be available at the news conference and posted before that at SNAPnetwork.org - under Media Statements - &/or at davidclohessy.com.
   

   CONTACT
   David Clohessy 314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com

   Mike McDonnell 267 261 0578, mmcdonnell@snapnetwork.org

   Steve Stack 618 401 1512, sstack1@me.com