Newly Elected American Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, Faces Accusations of Covering Up Church Abuse

The man formerly known as Robert Prevost made history on Thursday, May 8, by becoming the first American pontiff. However, his reign as Pope Leo XIV was immediately met with allegations of covering up the church’s sins by a group known as the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

In an open letter, SNAP expressed their concerns about Leo’s past, stating that his election “highlights the grim reality within the College of Cardinals, where many members have been accused of shielding abusers.” The group claimed that several cardinals who voted in the conclave that elected Leo had been complicit in covering up abuse cases.

SNAP also revealed that they had received information from survivors and whistleblowers worldwide, and had previously warned Pope Francis about Leo’s alleged involvement in covering up abuse within the church.

According to SNAP, as provincial of the Augustinians, Pope Leo XIV allowed Father James Ray, a priest accused of abusing minors whose ministry had been restricted since 1991, to reside at the Augustinians’ St. John Stone Friary in Chicago in 2000, despite its proximity to a Catholic elementary school.

The Chicago-Sun Times reported in 2021 that church officials had approved the transfer, arguing that there was “no school in the immediate area.” These allegations have raised concerns about Leo’s handling of abuse cases and his commitment to addressing the issue within the Catholic Church.