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).
SNAP Calls for the Renaming of Endowment in Utah that Honors an Abusive Priest
According to reports, a permanent endowment for a Catholic church in Utah is still named for a credibly accused predator priest. We believe that Utah's archbishop must rescind and rename the endowment today.
Clergy Abuse Survivor Calls for Full Transparency as Lent Begins
For Catholics, Lent is a season of reflection and sacrifice. For some survivors, Lent is a trigger.
Philadelphia Priest Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse, SNAP Responds
A priest in Philadelphia who has been accused of raping a minor was arrested today. We are grateful to law enforcement officials for pursuing these allegations and taking the alleged abuser into custody.
SNAP of Tennessee Responds to Appointment of New Memphis Bishop
David Talley of Alexandria, Louisiana, to be appointed new bishop of Memphis, TN
Advocates and victims of clergy sexual abuse question his transparency on CSA
"Continued cover-up" expected from the Metropolitan See of Louisville, KY and from the Memphis diocese?
Perhaps Bishop Talley will be the transparent one in the equation of Tennessee
For Immediate Release 03/05/2019
SNAP Responds to Bishop Zubik's Pastoral Letter
Pittsburgh's top Catholic official has penned a letter laying out a five point plan to end the clergy abuse crisis, demonstrate transparency to the community, and support survivors.
SNAP Supports California’s Effort to Support Survivors and Protect Children
For immediate release: March 4, 2019
A bill has been introduced in the California Assembly that would help protect children and support survivors by amending the state’s statutes of limitations on felony child sex crimes.
Oakland Priest Flees Justice, SNAP Urges Action by Diocese of Oakland and Alameda County Officials
For immediate release: March 4, 2019
"Leaving Neverland" and Myths about Sexual Violence
Over the weekend, HBO aired the first part of a powerful documentary on the topic of child sexual abuse, renowned abusers, and the reactions that victims experience when they come forward.
Green Bay Diocese Removes Name of Former Bishop Wycislow from Center, But What About Rembert Weakland in Milwaukee?
Today, Bishop David Ricken of the Green Bay diocese announced he is removing the name of former Bishop Aloysius Wycislow from the cathedral center for “failure to adequately handle sex abuse cases”. In other words, covering up child sex crimes, not reporting predators to the police, transferring offenders to new parishes where they abused more children, and misleading Catholics.
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