we are paving the way for an abuse-free church

SNAP Files Formal Complaints Against Tobin and Six Other U.S. Cardinals as Part of Conclave Watch

South Orange, NJ — On Tuesday, April 15 at 11:00am, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in front of Seton Hall University (outside Ward Place Gate at the intersection of Ward Pl. and Seton Dr.) to deliver a critical announcement concerning the role of the U.S. Catholic cardinals in the next papal conclave.

READ MORE

Our mission

Conclave Watch is a global, survivor-led initiative by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), dedicated to ensuring that the election of the next pope marks a turning point in the Catholic Church’s response to abuse. This project calls on the next conclave to select a pope who has not covered up abuse and who will commit - on the very first day of his papacy - to enacting a binding, universal zero tolerance law. Conclave Watch reflects a growing global demand that the Catholic hierarchy be held accountable by the wider society to prioritize truth-telling, support justice and healing for survivors, and end the cycle of abuse and cover-up once and for all.

In the News

Featured
Group creates church sex database
Group creates church sex database

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) launched a database to keep track of cardinals around the world and their records on reporting sexual abuse in the church. The organization hopes the tool will be used when the conclave eventually selects a new pope.

Read More →
Six cardinals accused of covering up sex abuse in Catholic Church
Six cardinals accused of covering up sex abuse in Catholic Church

A bombshell dossier of complaints compiled by groups representing survivors of clerical sex abuse has been handed to the Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and number two to Pope Francis.

Read More →
Catholic Church sex abuse survivors launch database vetting cardinals’ records
Catholic Church sex abuse survivors launch database vetting cardinals’ records

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests unveiled “Conclave Watch,’’ a database on cardinals’ records on clergy sex abuse that it hopes will put the issue at the center of consideration whenever the next pope is chosen.

Read More →

Press Releases

Featured
SNAP Files Formal Complaints Against Tobin and Six Other US Cardinals as Part of “Conclave Watch”

The event will focus in particular on Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, his central role in the ongoing suppression of results of an abuse investigation commissioned by the university, and SNAP’s conclusion that no American cardinal is qualified to lead the Catholic Church due to their extensive histories of enabling and covering up clergy sexual abuse.

Read More →
Survivors deliver Vos estis lux mundi complaints against six cardinals to Vatican Secretary of State Parolin

After announcing a new initiative called Conclave Watch at a press conference Tuesday in Rome, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) formally delivered complaints yesterday against six cardinals to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

Read More →
SNAP leaders travel to Rome to prepare survivors for future papal conclave

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) announces that key members of its leadership team are currently in Rome launching a rigorous review of cardinals considered contenders for the papacy.

Read More →
Next Pope Must Institute A Zero Tolerance Law For Sexual Abuse

As Pope Francis lies in the hospital, potentially facing the end of his life, survivors around the world are mourning what they perceive as the "tragedy" of his papacy—a preventable catastrophe for the children and vulnerable people who were abused during his tenure.

Read More →