VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests [Chicago IL]
May 20, 2025
By Peter Isely
Mounting evidence points to pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims across Leo’s ecclesiastical career
CHICAGO, IL – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 1 E. Wacker Dr. (the Izard Room) in Downtown Chicago, to present new evidence concerning Pope Leo XIV and his alleged involvement in the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse cases during his previous roles in the Catholic Church.
SNAP will unveil new whistleblower documents from the Diocese of Chiclayo (Peru) that substantiate allegations made by survivors and detailed in a formal complaint submitted under Vos estis lux mundi on March 25, 2025. These documents directly implicate Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, in the mishandling of abuse reports during his time as Bishop of Chiclayo. Furthermore, they demonstrate the Diocese of Chiclayo has continued to cover-up Prevost’s failure to properly investigate abuse allegations and misrepresented their actions to the public.
In addition to these revelations, survivors will present newly reported and previously mismanaged abuse cases that Prevost was responsible for as Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago, as Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian order, and as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. These cases underscore longstanding concerns about his failure to act responsibly in the face of credible allegations.
“This is exactly why we launched the Conclave Watch project,” said Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President. “Survivors and whistleblowers need a secure platform to share documents, expose the truth, and demand accountability.”
SNAP wrote to Pope Leo XIV on the day of his election saying, “You can end the abuse crisis — the only question is, will you?”
In an open letter, the group called for the new pope to do the following in the first 100 days:
- Establish an independent Global Truth Commission with full Vatican cooperation;
- Adopt a Universal Zero Tolerance Law into canon law;
- Submit to International Legal Agreements mandating transparency and accountability;
- Establish a Reparations Fund supported by church assets;
- And create a Global Survivors Council with the authority to oversee and enforce compliance.
Pope Leo XIV has thus far made no public statements related to sexual abuse or cover-up.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: 1 E. Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL (the Izard Room)
WHAT: A press conference featuring survivor-advocates of SNAP sharing new whistleblower documents and testimony regarding Pope Leo XIV’s management of abuse cases
The event will include survivor testimony, presentation of new documents, and media Q&A. All press will receive access to supporting materials. The full press conference will be filmed and posted online after the event.
CONTACT:
Peter Isely,SNAP Global Advocacy Chair (peterisely@gmail.com, +1-414-429-7259), Sarah Pearson, SNAP Media and Communications (sarah@natesmission.org, +1-414-366-5403), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President (sdougherty@snapnetwork.org, +1-814-341-8386), James Egan, SNAP Spokesperson (jamesjegan3@gmail.com, +1-414-510-4069)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)