The survivors have also approached several cardinals in person, leading Cardinal Peter Turkson to invite the group to attend a presentation on artificial intelligence and child safety.
The 20 cardinal profiles that SNAP, which is U.S.-based, has on its website heavily feature U.S. cardinals, naming all 10 U.S. cardinal electors.
From left, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests activists Sarah Pearson, Peter Isely and President Shaun Dougherty talk to reporters during a press conference, in Rome, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
SNAP leaders said abuse survivors are just beginning the process of coming forward in other parts of the world.
“ Parts of Africa are by far the most dangerous for children in the Catholic Church, and the survivors who come forward there face enormous shunning, face enormous threats,” including to their lives, Isely said.
Meanwhile, John Carr, a survivor of clerical abuse who led a major department at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for over two decades, spoke highly of several U.S. cardinals on SNAP’s list in an April 30 interview with RNS.
He particularly commended Gregory for his work in leading the conference as president in 2002 to institute the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, calling him “a profile in courage in standing up for survivors and victims and insisting on the zero-tolerance program against enormous resistance.”
“Nobody did enough, but some people, including Cardinal Gregory, did more than most and showed courage in standing with survivors and families,” Carr said. Nevertheless, he said, clergy abuse “still haunts us and there’s more work to be done.”
This article originally appeared here.
