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 reacts to publication of list of credibly accused clergy in Indiana
For immediate release, September 19, 2018
Statement by Becky Ianni, SNAP Board Treasurer, 703-801-6044, [email protected]
Yesterday the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend published the names of priests and deacons who have been "credibly accused" of the sexual abuse of minors in that diocese.
https://todayscatholic.org/diocese-of-fort-wayne-south-bend-publishes-names-of-credibly-accused/
Father calls for the protection of children, LDS responds with Excommunication
For immediate release, September 17, 2018
Statement by Judy Larson, Volunteer Vice-President of SNAP and SNAP Utah Leader, 801-831-5277,[email protected])
Sam Young, founder of Protect LDS Children, raised objections to his Church's practice of questioning children alone, behind closed doors, particularly since some of those children were targeted with sexually explicit questions. Four of Sam's six daughters were subjected to this practice, which is why he became an activist. The LDS Church responded by excommunicating Sam on Sunday.
PA Class-action suit demands release of all names of accused priests, SNAP responds
For immediate release, Sept. 17, 2018
Statement by Judy Jones, Volunteer SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
A class-action lawsuit was filed today in Pennsylvania asking the court to force officials in the state's eight Roman Catholic dioceses to disclose all records pertaining to child sexual abuse since 1948. The action is not asking for money, only transparency for the community and justice for the victims.
Two new Memphis area predator priests identified
For immediate release, September 16, 2018
Contact David Clohessy, Volunteer St. Louis SNAP leader, 314-566-9790, [email protected]
Two new predator priests identified
Both worked in West Memphis
Victims group wants 'outreach' by Catholic officials
Arkansas Catholic officials have disclosed that two previously unnamed pedophile priests worked in West Memphis. A victim support group wants church authorities in Little Rock and Memphis to seek out others who may have been hurt by the clerics.
Survivors do not believe that an investigation sponsored by the San Jose Diocese will be completely transparent
For immediate release, September 13, 2018
Statement by Melanie Sakoda, Volunteer San Francisco Bay Area Leader and Secretary of SNAP's Board of Directors, 925-708-6175, [email protected]
Today Bishop Patrick J. McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose announced that he has hired a former FBI official to review how church leaders have handled past abuse complaints. The Bishop also promised to release a list of priests "credibly accused" of abusing children.
A Catholic bishop under a cloud of suspicion will be investigated by another prelate
For immediate release, September 13, 2018
Cardinal Cupich of Chicago says sex abuse in Church is a "distraction"
Cardinal Cupich of Chicago says sex abuse in the Church is a "distraction"
For immediate release, September 11, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, President of SNAP, [email protected], 415-312-5820
Cardinal Blase Cupich recently told a group of seminarians that “while the church’s ‘agenda’ certainly involves protecting kids from harm, we have a bigger agenda than to be distracted by all of this.” The cardinal also added, “I feel very much at peace at this moment. I am sleeping OK.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/?post_type=cst_article&p=1347183
A shocking news report reveals that Buffalo Catholic officials dramatically misled the public about the number of accused clergy
For immediate release, Sept. 12, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, President of SNAP, [email protected], 415-312-5820
A shocking news report released today revealed that Buffalo Catholic officials dramatically misled the public about the number of accused clergy in the diocese. We believe this deception, particularly the removal from the complete list of those who were “still functioning as a pastor,” should warrant immediate and decisive action from the Vatican, denouncing this outrageous duplicity and demoting those involved.
Head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops accused of ignoring abuse
For immediate release, Sept. 12, 2018
Statement by Michael Norris, Volunteer Houston SNAP Leader and Member of SNAP’s Board of Directors, 713-855-9178,[email protected]
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has been accused of ignoring allegations against a priest in his diocese. The clergyman, Father Manuel LaRosa-Lopez, was still assigned to a parish when he was arrested on Tuesday.
Cardinal Wuerl meeting with Pope Francis to discuss resignation, survivors want more
For immediate release, Sept. 11, 2018
Statement by Becky Ianni, Volunteer DC SNAP Leader and SNAP Treasurer, 703-801-6044, [email protected]
The Catholic News Agency reported late today that Cardinal Donald Wuerl told priests that he will be meeting with Pope Francis “soon” to discuss his resignation.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/wuerl-to-meet-with-Pope-francis-to-discuss-resignation-40591
The Cardinal has been under pressure to step down following the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report. The report said that the DC prelate allowed abusive priests back into ministry when he was a bishop in that state. But people, including practicing Catholics, were even more upset by the Cardinal’s response to the report when he claimed publicly, “I think I did everything I possibly could.” The calls for resignation mounted after Cardinal Wuerl was accused of knowing about the allegations against his predecessor in the archdiocese, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, and doing nothing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/us/Cardinal-wuerl-archbishop-washington-protests.html
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