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 responds: Pope Francis words to Chilean Bishops
For immediate release, May 18, 2018
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP "Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests", 636-433-2511,[email protected]
Pope Francis has responded to the brave clergy abuse victims of Chile. His harsh words to the Chilean Bishops are resonating loudly with other clergy abuse victims throughout the world.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-chile-bishops-abuse-scandal-1.4668537
This behavior by bishops is not only a happening in Chile. The Catholic church hierarchy in all the dioceses throughout the world follow the same ego centered and callous behavior of enabling and covering up sex crimes against children. We are not aware of one single bishop who has lost his title, lost his job or been publicly denounced for protecting and shielding predators. Even Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City who was criminally convicted of child endangerment did not lose his job.
PA--SNAP responds Erie Priest being charge for child abuse.
For immediate release: Tuesday, May 8th
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, hm: 636-433-2511, cell: 314-974-5003, [email protected]
Thanks to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro for taking action to expose the truth and protect kids today.
Priest accused of abusing 2 boys, making 1 confess afterward
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/priest-accused-of-abusing-2-boys-making-1-confess-afterward/2018/05/08/68a201a6-52d4-11e8-a6d4-ca1d035642ce_story.html?utm_term=.21bb97de5db2
The survivors of the SNAP network are thankful for the PA Grand Jury investigation of the Erie Diocese.
PA -- Two Franciscan friars enter pleas, victims' group responds
For immediate release Friday, May 5, 2018
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP Volunteer Midwest Leader ([email protected], 636-433-2511, cell 314-974-5003)
As a fifteen year advocate for victims of clergy sex abuse I fully support Attorney General Josh Shapiro's statement in regard to no tolerance for enabling and covering up child sex abuse.
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/press-releases/ag-shapiro-two-altoona-franciscan-friars-plead-to-endangering-the-welfare-of-children/Even though these criminals will not spend any time in jail, I hope that the pleas by these Friars will show the necessity for laws to be changed to better protect kids today. PA statutes of limitations for child sex crimes need to be eliminated.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the world's oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 supporters. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - Judy Jones, (636-433-2511, cell 314-974-5003, [email protected]), Tim Lennon (415-312-5820, [email protected]), Becky Ianni (703-801-6044, [email protected])
Australia -- Case against Cardinal Pell will go to trial, SNAP responds
For immediate release Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, SNAP President, [email protected], 415-312-5820
We are very grateful that the Australian magistrate has decided that there is enough evidence for Cardinal George Pell to stand trial on multiple counts of historical sexual abuse.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/30/asia/cardinal-george-pell-trial-may-intl/index.html
While we do not know whether or not the charges against the cardinal are true, we do know that research shows that false allegations are extremely rare.
NY – Two Buffalo area priests suspended, victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon of Tucson, Volunteer President of SNAP’s Board of Directors, 415-312-5820,[email protected]
This past weekend two priests in the Diocese of Buffalo were suspended from ministry. Fathers Samuel J. Venne and Arthur S. Smith were put on leave while allegations of childhood sexual abuse against them are investigated by the Church.
http://buffalonews.com/2018/04/23/two-priests-suspended-amid-probe-of-abuse-allegations/
OH-- SNAP responds: Pittsburgh Deacon arrested for child porn worked in Steubenville diocese.
For immediate release: Monday, April 23, 2018
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/04/11/pittsburgh-catholic-diocese-deacon-child-pornograph-arrest/
https://content.parishesonline.com/uploads/listing/1c/38/1c38d62efc25ee726913b7c9af5b810ce2b8a4ba/publications/source/Register%20April%2020.pdf
(See page 5, " Pittsburgh’s bishop pledges full cooperation in arrest of permanent deacon")
OH-WV--SNAP responds: Steubenville & Wheeling-Charleston Diocese do not release names of accused priests
For immediate release: Monday, April 23, 2018
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
We are always grateful when a diocese releases the names of accused priests. But the Steubenville Diocese and the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese say they have no intention of releasing the names of their priests who are credibly accused of child sex abuse.
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/local-news/2018/04/dioceses-wont-name-sex-offenders/
AZ -- Sex Abuse victims/advocates want church to act
For immediate release Sunday, April 22, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon of Tucson, Volunteer President of SNAP’s Board of Directors (415-312-5820, [email protected])
The founder of a large nondenominational church in Arizona admitted to having sex with girls in his charge when he was a married youth pastor at a Baptist Church in California. The victims came forward following a February news report about another youth pastor at the same Modesto parish who had been accused of sexually abusing a minor.
SNAP responds to Catholic Deacon charged with child pornography
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Regional Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
Deacon Rosendo F. Dacal of city, Pennsylvania has been accused of possessing child pornography.
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/04/11/pittsburgh-catholic-diocese-deacon-child-pornograph-arrest/
While we have no first hand information on the charges against Deacon Rosendo F. Dacal, viewing, possessing, distributing, and/or creating child pornography is a serious crime for good reason. Real children are being sexually abused in the images, and these innocent victims are likely to experience lifelong pain and suffering as a result. Moreover, it is not uncommon for those who possess child pornography to also sexually abuse children.
AZ – Phoenix priest subject of abuse lawsuit in Guam
Statement by Tim Lennon, Volunteer President of SNAP’s Board of Directors (415-312-5820, [email protected])
A priest from the Archdiocese of Agana in Guam currently working in Phoenix has been recalled to the island after a lawsuit accused him of sexual abuse. This is the first public allegation against Father Adrian Cristobal.
While we have no firsthand knowledge about the accusations against Father Cristobal, we do know that research has shown that false allegations of abuse are extremely rare.
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