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).
Maine Bishop Must Do Outreach Regarding Recently Named Abusive Priest
A former Maine Catholic priest was deemed ‘credibly accused’ last week and put on a list of abusive priests by Catholic officials in Texas. Now, Maine church staff should aggressively reach out to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes.
Victims and Advocates Push Steubenville Diocese on Abuse
Survivors and advocates push Steubenville Diocese on abuse
They want expanded list of 'credibly accused' clerics
SNAP: the names of 5 men publicly accused of child sexual abuse missing
Each of them spent time in Steubenville area
South Carolina Bishop Delays the Release of Information Regarding Accused Priests, SNAP Responds
The Diocese of Charleston, which covers the entire state of South Carolina, is delaying the release of information regarding priests that have been accused of abuse.
St. Louis Area Priest and Priory teacher arrested, accused of “peeping”
A Catholic priest who teaches at the St. Louis Priory School has been arrested and charged with stalking and resisting arrest. According to reports, Fr. Michael McCusker was allegedly looking into the windows of a fellow Priory teacher. The cleric was reportedly caught hiding in the bushes outside the home.
New York Jesuits Accused of Hiding Names of Abusive Clergy
A new investigation reveals that Jesuit officials are still hiding the names of accused abusers. It’s another reminder that secretive institutions can’t police themselves and that parents and parishioners must stay vigilant and demand change.
Accused Priest Left in Ministry until Day of Archbishops’ Release, SNAP Responds
Despite pledging to remove priests from ministry following accusations of abuse, a priest from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston was left in position up to the day the Texas bishops released lists of accused priests throughout the state.
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