Before their passing, the survivors wrote to Pope Francis after announcing his intention to draft an apostolic exhortation for children. In a letter sent to Pope Leo XIV, SNAP stated: "Now that task falls upon you." The network insisted that survivors do not have the same influence as the Church in the world.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), comprising 26,000 victims from various countries, issued a public letter to the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, demanding accountability for the handling of abuses. In the letter, the lack of response to previous reports and the protection of predators by the Church were highlighted.
In the open letter published by SNAP, it was pointed out: "The sexual offender in a clerical collar commits two crimes: one against the body and another against the voice." Additionally, the network questioned the Church's credibility in discussing children's rights while it protects abusers and shields bishops.
SNAP has reported allegations related to abuses, including the track record of the new Pope Leo XIV in handling these cases. The organization requested the Pope to establish an independent Global Truth Commission, a Universal Zero Tolerance Law, international legal agreements, a Survivor-Funded Reparations Fund, and a Global Survivors Council.
In the letter, SNAP urged Pope Leo XIV to end the abuse crisis. Specific cases were emphasized, such as that of Father James Ray, a priest accused of child abuse who was allowed to reside in a convent despite previous restrictions. Additionally, allegations from victims who did not see progress in their canonical cases or in reports to civil authorities were mentioned.
The survivors' network urged the Church to take concrete measures to address the abuse crisis and ensure transparency and accountability at all levels.
