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).
Another priest accused in Erie diocese: SNAP responds
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Volunteer Midwest Regional Leader: 636-433-2511, [email protected]
We have just now learned that another priest has been removed from the Erie Diocese while allegations of child sexual abuse are investigated.
http://www.erienewsnow.com/story/39053113/another-priest-removed-from-ministry-in-diocese-of-erie
Late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua Accused of Sex Assault In New Lawsuit
For immediate release, September 7, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, 415-312-5820, [email protected]
The late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua has been accused by a woman of molesting her when she was a child. The cardinal had a long history serving in Pennsylvania, first as Bishop of Pittsburgh and then as Archbishop, and later Cardinal, of Philadelphia. He died in 2012.
Tsunami effect of Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report: NY and NJ Attorneys General Take Action and SNAP Cheers Them On
For immediate release, September 6, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, 415-312-5820, [email protected]
The shattering revelations of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury are creating a tsunami of action by state attorneys general. New York and New Jersey are at the forefront of aggressive action.
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/09/nj_subpoenas_catholic_dioceses_over_abuse_cases.html
As child sex-abuse scandal escalates, the Catholic Church is now at war with itself
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.”
Louis D. Brandeis wrote his often-quoted line about the power and necessity of transparency in 1913, three years before becoming a U.S. Supreme Court justice. A fearless proponent of social justice, he was writing about corruption and the concentration of power in the investment banking world at the time.
Survivors group: victims want justice, not money
For immediate release, September 5, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, 415-312-5820, [email protected]
In the wake of the damning Pennsylvania grand jury report, Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Erie Diocese has proposed a fund to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse.
As survivors of heinous crimes ourselves, we know that what victims really want is justice, not money. Survivors want information about their abusers' records, and public acknowledgment of the harm they incurred when the Church put the protection of reputation over the well-being of the innocent.
Salt Lake City UT--Founder of Protect LDS Children facing church discipline, SNAP responds
For immediate release, September 5, 2018
Statement by Judy Larson, Volunteer Utah SNAP Leader, 801-831-5277, [email protected]
Sam Young, founder of Protect LDS Children, recently received a letter from the Mormon Church, summoning him to an excommunication hearing in Houston on Sunday, September 9th. He held a press conference in Salt Lake City today to discuss the Church's action.
https://invisiblescubit.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/excommunication-notice/
TX--Founder of Protect LDS Children facing church discipline, SNAP responds
For immediate release, September 5, 2018
Statement by Michael Norris, Volunteer SNAP Houston Leader, 713-855-9178, [email protected]
Sam Young, founder of Protect LDS Children, recently received a letter from the Mormon Church, summoning him to an excommunication hearing in Houston on Sunday, September 9th.
https://invisiblescubit.wordpress.com/2018/08/29/excommunication-notice/
Mr. Young has been on a campaign to raise awareness about the negative impact of sexually explicit one-on-one interviews that take place in the LDS Church. The Bishops who conduct these interviews do not receive any special training, nor are they subject to background checks. Mr. Young’s organization has documented the very real harm suffered by children during this completely unregulated process.
Yet another bishop seeks a self-serving investigation under the guise of "transparency"
For immediate release, August 31, 2018
Statement by Melanie Sakoda, Volunteer SNAP Secretary, 925-708-6175, [email protected]
Today Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City announced that he has hired a law firm to review allegations of sexual abuse in the archdiocese.
However, in our eyes the Archbishop's plan falls far short. Pennsylvania's grand jury report on six Catholic dioceses established the bench mark that should be followed in all other investigations.
Survivors have a hard time taking Bishop Burns’ letter to Pope Francis seriously
For immediate release, August 31, 2018
Statement by Lisa Kendzior & Paul Petersen, Volunteer Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network (Lisa: 817-773-5907, [email protected]; Paul: 972-569-0995, [email protected])
Bishop Edward Burns, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, recently asked Pope Francis to hold an “Extraordinary Synod” on the sexual abuse crisis. We find ourselves wondering if this request is a joke.
https://cathdal.org/LTRPopeFrancisSynod08292018.pdf
The Dallas hierarch does not need to hide out and conspire with his brother bishops in Rome to bring about “systemic change.”
SNAP responds: 3 more priests removed from Pittsburgh Diocese
For immediate release, August 31, 2018
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader: 636-433-2511, [email protected]
We have just now learned that 3 priests have been removed for child sex abuse in the Pittsburgh diocese.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/08/31/john-bauer-bernard-costello-hugh-lang-sexual-abuse-allegations/
First of all, we are wondering why it took Bishop Zubik so long to make these accusations public from the time that it was reported. The delay enables unfettered supervision—were more children, minors, and vulnerable adults harmed?. Could the accused have time to intimidate witnesses and destroy evidence? They should have been exposed immediately.
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