Media Statements
We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).
Diocese of Buffalo Updates List of Accused Priests Yet Continues to Omit Names
Church officials in Buffalo have updated their lists of accused priests. However, while providing more information, they continue to omit names, not presenting parishioners and the public with the full truth.
Settlement Process Ends in Diocese of Duluth
The bankruptcy reorganization at a Minnesota diocese has ended and now dozens of survivors of sexual abuse will be compensated for the abuse and cover-up they experienced. We hope that this process has brought healing to these survivors and that parishioners in Minnesota will be vigilant in keeping an eye out for signs of abuse in the future.
Boise Priest Defrocked by the Vatican, SNAP Responds
A Boise priest whose trial uncovered incredibly violent child pornography and chat logs was defrocked by the Vatican today. While it is unlikely that this priest will ever get out of prison, we hope that church officials continue to keep tabs on him instead of simply washing their hands.
Last church Chapter 11 funds are handed out
Last church Chapter 11 funds are handed out
Four groups, two local & two national, will benefit
The money is available “thanks to caring victims,” says attorney
Its distribution will “close the long, painful process” caused by “diocesan delays”
Another Lawsuit Filed Against Msgr. Vincent Breen
A new lawsuit has been filed by three survivors of childhood sexual abuse who allege they were abused at the hands of a priest in the Diocese of Oakland. Suits were previously file in 2003 and 2010. We applaud these courageous women who have persevered to bring more information about the abuse by Msgr. Vincent Breen to light. Without the recently passed AB 218 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and championed by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, there would be no opportunity to fully reveal the monsignor’s predations.
Case Against Accused Priest that Ended in Hung Jury to be Re-tried
We are thrilled by the decision to re-try a Kansas City archdiocese priest whose trial last month ended in a hung jury. We believe this move will help keep children in Kansas safer and sends the message that abuse will not be tolerated.
At Least Seven More McCarrick Survivors Come Forward, SNAP Urges Outreach
At least seven more men have come forward to allege that a now-disgraced cardinal abused them as children. We applaud these survivors for coming forward and hope that these men are getting the help and support that they need.
Diocese of Sacramento Helped Abusive Priest Obtain Position in Mexico, SNAP Reacts
According to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento assisted a priest in obtaining a new position in Mexico following four sexual abuse accusations in Northern California. The legal complaint includes a letter, reportedly written by the diocesan attorney and approved by the bishop at the time, allowing the cleric to work in Mexico as long as the diocese there assumed “full responsibility” in the event the clergyman committed a sex offense while working in in that country.
SNAP Slams Latest Intimidation Tactics by Jesuits in New York
In their latest effort to dodge the deluge of lawsuits from survivors of clergy abuse, Jesuit officials are deploying a new tactic that is obviously aimed at scaring victims and witnesses into silence. We hope their tactic is thrown out in court today, and that survivors will be protected as they exercise their legal rights.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director