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).
Epstein Victims Asked to Remedy Non Prosecution Agreement
Victims of a predatory billionaire are being asked their views on how to remedy an unprecedented, insensitive and reckless non-prosecution agreement (NPA), which “was concealed from the victims and their counsel and violated the law.” We applaud this move and agree with attorney Sigrid McCawley who calls this remedial effort “a watershed for victims’ rights.”
President of the USCCB Once Again Under Fire for Improper Handling of Sex Abuse Claims
The head of the US bishops is once again under fire for inaction in a case of clergy sex abuse. We call on him to resign his post or at least recuse himself from leading the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore next week.
Iowa AG to Gather Information on Clergy Abuse, SNAP Responds
The Iowa attorney general’s office has announced that it will be gathering information on sexual abuse by spiritual leaders and clergy in that state. This is a good first step for Iowa.
SNAP Calls for More Information as Diocese of Oakland Quietly Adds Names of Abusive Clergy to their List
The Diocese of Oakland has updated their list of “credibly accused” clergy. However, we are very disappointed that they apparently did so without notifying anyone.
SNAP Applauds Protestant Bloggers and Advocates
A handful of brave female bloggers who expose child sex crimes in churches have just been profiled by the Washington Post. We are humbled by and grateful for the extraordinary compassion and courage of these women and hope their work to protect the vulnerable encourages others to follow in their footsteps. We also hope that other mainstream journalists will see how impressive and credible these prophets are.
SNAP Urges MI Lawmakers to Reconsider Funding Decision
According to reports, Michigan's GOP lawmakers are cutting $4-$5 million from the attorney general's budget while her office is investigating clerics who commit and conceal crimes against children. We hope this decision will be reversed. Partisan politics should not impede efforts to protect children.
USCCB Releases Annual Implementation Report, SNAP Responds
America’s bishops have put out today yet another self-report on the church’s on-going abuse and cover up crisis. At this point, no one should trust internal church figures on this horror.
Fr. Fred Lenczycki Convicted, SNAP Responds
One of the most notorious and prolific US predator priests has pled guilty today to more child sex crimes and faces sentencing soon. He worked in Chicago and St. Louis areas and elsewhere.
Whistleblowing Mom who Reported Fr. Geoghan Passes Away
A brave, persistent Catholic mom who tried diligently to protect others from Boston’s most notorious predator priest has passed away. Seven boys in her extended family were molested by the cleric, Fr. John Geoghan.
SNAP Calls on Archbishop Gregory to Make McCarrick Review Public
The Archdiocese of Washington DC has completed a review of disgraced Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s personal correspondence and forwarded the results to Rome, according to a Catholic news source. Now we call on newly-installed DC Archbishop Wilton Gregory to immediately make this review public.
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