The press conference organized in Chicago by SNAP to attack Leo XIV over the allegations of Ana María Quispe Díaz. An old case already documented as false.

---

 

SNAP smells business and strikes back.

For those who may have forgotten, shortly before the appointment of Leo XIV, some traditionalist newspapers (in Italy “La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana”) uncritically relayed the accusations of “Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests” (SNAP) against Cardinal Prevost.

They actually tried to prevent his election to the papal throne because he was considered too aligned with his predecessor.

 

Who SNAP is and why it is unreliable

But first of all, who is SNAP and why is it unacceptable?

SNAP is a U.S.-based organization that, on paper, should defend victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests but, in reality, it is a politicized entity with a clear anti-Catholic bias, whose accusations have often proven false.

In 2016, for example, SNAP was legally sanctioned when a conspiracy against a priest falsely accused of sexual abuse came to light. But the false accusations continued over the years, ruining the reputation of many priests and forcing SNAP to issue belated apologies. The latest case was in 2019.

The so-called “victim advocacy” group was also found to publish private phone numbers and emails of priests simply accused (not convicted) of abuse, urging members to harass them relentlessly.

A judge banned SNAP from disturbing the faithful during Mass, stopping a practice that was spreading in Missouri.

In 2017, a SNAP employee, Gretchen Rachel Hammond, even sued the group for collusion with attorneys representing victims, exposing the financial interests and kickbacks received by SNAP in the exploitation of victims, as well as the group’s lack of genuine concern for their protection.

As a result, SNAP’s founder, Barbara Blaine, was forced to resign, followed shortly after by the national director, David Clohessy.

In these circumstances, several emails from SNAP officials also emerged, in which victims were urged to bankrupt Catholic dioceses to compromise ethical pronouncements on homosexuality, contraception, and abortion.

One of SNAP’s major collaborators, Dr. Steve Taylor, was also arrested for possession of child pornography, yet he was defended and covered by the group itself, which asked to “turn a blind eye” in the name of his positive career. We documented the case in detail in this article.

 

The press conference organized by SNAP in Chicago

Returning to Leo XIV and the present day, SNAP believes he did not adequately address the abuse allegations concerning Ana María Quispe Díaz during his time as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

A few days ago, the group revived the accusations by bringing Ana María Quispe Díaz to Chicago, Leo’s hometown, and organizing a press conference.

Highlighting SNAP’s unreliability is the fact that the Spanish words spoken by the woman were translated by SNAP with serious errors, altering the meaning of her sentences.

An element that raises doubts about the group’s credibility in presenting victims’ testimonies.

 

SNAP and the False Accusations Against Leo XIV

The cases of priests Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzáles and Ricardo Yesquén Paiva, guilty of abuse against Ana María Quispe Díaz and other young women, have been cited.

But the diocese of Chiclayo has already documented that Prevost followed canonical procedures, initiating a preliminary investigation and imposing ministerial restrictions on the accused priests. Furthermore, he encouraged the victims to turn to civil authorities for further action.

This information has been confirmed by investigative journalists covering sexual abuse in Latin America, particularly Rodolfo Soriano Nuñez, Pedro Salinas, and Paola Ugaz.

Ugaz herself commented on SNAP’s recent press conference, explaining that Prevost not only urged the victim to approach civil authorities, but also personally sent the case to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican, demonstrating that he took it seriously and was intent on protecting the woman.

Prevost also played a decisive role in convincing Pope Francis to suppress the Peruvian group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, within which several abusers were hiding.

It has also been observed that «SNAP did not contact the victims of the “Sodalitium” and did not include their praise for Leo in its communications».

Evidently, SNAP’s actions are no longer about commendable victim protection, but about a business that feeds on controversy, money (from victims and potential compensations), and a one-sided narrative, often far from the truth.