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).
California Church Ministry Kidnapped the Homeless and Used them as Slaves, SNAP responds
An investigation by the Washington Post into a Catholic ministry in California has revealed that the group was luring homeless people to their churches with false promises of food and shelter before kidnapping them, stealing their identification, and forcing them to panhandle money for the church. This is an unconscionable and horrific tale that seems like fiction but sadly is not.
In Latest Test of Metropolitan Model, One Minnesota Bishop is Set to Investigate Another
In June, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new model for investigating claims of wrongdoing by bishops. Now, that model is being put to the test in Minnesota and survivor advocates will be watching the outcome closely.
200 Names of Abusers are Released in Brooklyn
Today at a press conference in New York, important information about abusive clergy in Brooklyn was released to the public. We applaud the work of these independent advocates who prepared this report and hope that this information will help create more informed communities in New York.
Diocese of Bridgeport Adds Two Names to “Credibly Accused” List
Church officials in Bridgeport have updated their list of “credibly accused” priests to include two more names of deceased priests. Now we hope they follow up by actively reaching out to members of their flock and urging witnesses, whistleblowers, and victims to come forward and make a report.
Dangerous Dozen KC MO credibly accused predator priests (9/18)
(NOTE: the first three clerics are NOT on the official KC MO accused list)
1--Fr. Deusdedit (a.k.a. ‘Fr. Deo’) Mulokozi, who was expelled from the Jefferson City diocese after having been credibly accused of ‘boundary violations’ with a 15 year old Sedalia girl. But Fr. Deo’s current supervisors, a Kansas City-based religious order called the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (816 781 4344, preciousbloodkc.org), quietly moved him, first to Liberty MO, then to Houston TX, then to Tanzania where he’s working now around even more vulnerable kids.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2018/11_12/2018_12_28_MartinezKeel_FormerSedalia.htm
SNAP Hopes WV Attorney General’s Lawsuit Will Go Forward
West Virginia’s attorney general is fighting to keep his creative lawsuit against church officials alive. We support his efforts and hope that his lawsuit will not be dismissed.
Diocese of Kansas City, MO Finally Releases List of Abusive Priests
The Diocese of Kansas City, MO has finally released a list of 33 priests “credibly accused” of abuse. We are grateful for the pressure from police and the public that has prompted this long-overdue move.
Three Immediate Steps That Must Be Taken in Buffalo
Buffalo's bishop will not resign, he says. However new tapes show that he is still trying to hide the truth, and church officials in New York and the Vatican are doing nothing.
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