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).
Michigan AG Receives Death Threats over Clergy Abuse Probe
We are very sad that any law enforcement officer would face threats for doing his or her job and we are distressed that the Michigan attorney general has suffered in this way. We hope Michigan's bishops quickly and harshly condemn this hatred. Violence is never the answer.
Pope Francis Issues New Reporting Laws, SNAP Responds
A lack of policies or procedures has never been the main problem in the clergy sex abuse scandal. Rather, it has been a lack of accountability for hierarchs who conceal sex crimes and a deficit of courage and willingness to take immediate, decisive action on those who have enabled those crimes to occur.
PUBLICLY ACCUSED FRESNO ABUSIVE PRIESTS ‘UNDER THE RADAR’ (5/9)
--Fr. John R. Shepherd, who was a Jesuit and who worked in Arizona and spent time in at least five California towns: Los Angeles, San Jose, Los Altos and Azusa. In 1954-1955, he was at Ryan Preparatory Junior Seminary in Fresno.
http://jesuitswest.org/Assets/Publications/File/JW_List_1207_English.pdf
Survivor Speaks Out in Boston as New Abusers are Revealed
We applaud this brave survivor who had the courage to come forward, name her abuser publicly, and demand action from the Archdiocese of Boston. And when a survivor speaks truth to power, we hope that others – both in the Archdiocese of Boston and within the community – are listening and learning.
Additions to the Diocese of Fresno's List of Accused Clergy
The below list of accused priests was compiled by SNAP Northern California leader Joey Piscitelli. These are men who worked and spent time in the Diocese of Fresno but are not listed on the diocesan list of accused priests.
More ‘Under The Radar’ Publicly Accused St. Louis Accused Priests
--Fr. Julian Haas, whose status is listed as “removed from ministry / under supervision” on a list of credibly accused Capuchin Franciscans (based inDenver, 303-477-5436 or [email protected], [email protected]).
SNAP Letter to Archbishop Carlson
Dear Archbishop Carlson:
As you know, next month you’ll reach the mandatory retirement age for bishops. Unless you do something remarkable in the coming weeks, your legacy and obituary will likely cause you, your loved ones and your flock considerable shame, because it will prominently feature the stunningly embarrassing video deposition in which, according to NBC News, you
- claimed you “didn’t know in the 1980s whether it was illegal for priests to have sex with children,” and
- “responded 193 times that (you) did not recall abuse-related conversations from the 1980s to mid-1990s.”
Grand Jury Indicts Fr. Manual LaRosa Lopez, SNAP Responds
We are grateful to the Conroe County Grand Jury that has indicted accused abusive priest Fr. Manuel LaRosa Lopez.
California Attorney General opens Probe into Archdiocese of Los Angeles
We are encouraged by the announcement that AG Xavier Becerra will open a probe into the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and their handling of clergy sex abuse allegations.
What Is Being Done to Prevent More Abusers Being Housed at Gonzaga?
Some question whether Gonzaga’s president knew about 24 suspended and accused abusive Jesuit priests who were at the school. But the key question is actually “What’s he doing now to punish those who were clearly reckless and reach out to those who may have been hurt?”