Abp. Hebda "happy" to have met "helpful" Jeff Anderson, SNAP apologizes for false charges against St Louis priest

KSTP: When I mention the name Jeff Anderson … Is he a nemesis? Or is this someone who has helped the truth come to light?

HEBDA: I'm happy I've had the opportunity to meet him on a number of occasions to work with him. I think he was helpful with the archdiocese, helping us to figure out what's the best way to move forward. So there is certainly a sense of gratitude that's there for that.

The archdiocese has set aside $155 million for settlements with about 400 victims. About $120 million is insurance money. The rest of the money is from the sale of local church properties. The archdiocese has legal bills of about $15 million, which also will be paid out of that pool.

full interview at KSTP

SNAP certainly did have a positive role to play in the abuse scandal, but this is the same Jeff Anderson who wanted to raid parishes for cash and falsified accusations against a St. Louis priest.

Interestingly enough, I see SNAP apologised today(a little late for that but ok) for its hit job on a St Louis priest:

An American support group for victims of clergy abuse has apologized to a Catholic priest who sued them after child molestation charges against him were dropped.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, disclosed on November 27 the apology from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), the Associated Press reported.

"SNAP acknowledges that false claims of clergy sexual abuse injure those clerics falsely accused and the Roman Catholic Church," the group said. The group added that it apologized for "any false or inaccurate statements" related to the accusations against Xiu Hui "Joseph" Jiang that "in any way disparaged" him, the archbishop and other archdiocese officials.

Is SNAP making an effort to move beyond just being ambulance chasers?  Let's look at the fine print:

SNAP confirmed on November 27 that the apology was included in the settlement of the lawsuit. Court records show the case was dismissed on November 21 but gave no details about the settlement.

So maybe not.  I've said many times, there needs to be something like SNAP out there, but an organization that takes a more ethical approach to litigation.