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 Bridgeport Suspends Priest for Child Sex Abuse 17 Years After Allegations Were First Reported
A priest accused of abuse in Connecticut has just been removed due to “credible allegations” of abuse which were first reported in the early 2000s. We call on church officials to explain the delay and to provide an explanation for their public silence on this situation.
Former Priest and Serial Abuser Arrested in Philadelphia on Federal Charges
A priest who has been accused of abusing children since the 1980s was just arrested in Philadelphia on federal charges. We are grateful for this move and know that it will keep children safer.
Bishop Richard Malone Must Go
A just-unearthed recording of Buffalo’s top Catholic official has confirmed that he knew about allegations of sexual harassment against a priest in his diocese and did nothing. This inaction combined with the months of scandal and lies from church officials in Buffalo should compel church officials in the Vatican to step in and discipline him.
Child-abusing Former Priest Arrested in Philadelphia, Local Leader and Survivor Reacts
Today, a child abusing former priest from Levittown, Francis Trauger, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two boys. The below statement is a personal statement from local Philadelphia SNAP leader Mike McDonnell who is also a survivor of Trauger:
Church Officials in Pittsburgh Create “Third-Party Reporting” System to Handle Allegations of Abuse, SNAP Responds
Church officials from the Diocese of Pittsburgh today announced the creation of a new system to handle “questions related to suspected wrongdoing in parishes, schools or diocesan offices.” Rather than create new systems for handling allegations, however, we believe that people should instead be encouraged to make reports to law enforcement.
Survivors’ Group Calls for More Action from Church Officials in Cheyenne
Several weeks ago, we learned about potential charges being filed against a former Cheyenne, Wyoming bishop. Today, we are urging law enforcement officials to update the public and for church officials in Wyoming to take punitive action against their former leader.
Deacon Convicted of Abuse in Michigan, SNAP Applauds Survivor
A deacon in Michigan has just been convicted of sexually abusing a teenage boy. We hope that this sentence will bring comfort to his victims and will encourage others with information to come forward and make a report to police and the state attorney general.
Franciscan Monk who Transported and Abused Children from Mississippi also Spent Time in Philadelphia
A priest who has transported children across state lines in order to abuse them also worked and abused in Philadelphia. Now, we are asking the U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia to get involved in the investigation into his crimes and determine if there were others in the Philadelphia area who were hurt.
Survivors of clergy abuse calling on Federal authorities to investigate former Franciscan monk and his religious order for transporting children across state lines to sexually assault them
Group also concerned that cleric taught in a Green Bay diocese grade school from 1999-2010 after being credibly accused of child sex crimes in Mississippi
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