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).
Chile – Pope admits “serious mistakes” in sex abuse crisis; survivors vindicated
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Volunteer Secretary of SNAP’s Board of Directors (925-708-6175,[email protected])
Pope Francis today admitted to making “serious mistakes” in handling Chile’s sex abuse crisis. We rejoice with the Chilean survivors whose steadfast witness is vindicated by the Pope’s admission.
During a trip to South America earlier this year the pope told reporters that there was no proof that Bishop Juan Barros Madrid and three other bishops knew about Father Fernando Karadima’s sexual abuse of children. Yet Juan Carlos Cruz and other victims testified in court and wrote in letters sent to church officials that these bishops did know and covered it up. Not only did the pope ignore this evidence, he also slandered these survivors by accusing them of calumny.
Argentina – SNAP applauds formation of new survivors’ group
Statement by Tim Lennon, Volunteer President of SNAP’s Board of Directors (415-312-5820, [email protected])
We are always proud and excited when victims take the initiative to organize themselves to speak out against clergy sexual abuse. SurvivorJulieta Añazco has done just that in Argentina. I had the privilege of meeting Julieta when she attended a SNAP conference in the United States a few years ago.
Julieta’s new group, Red de Sobrevivientes de Abuso Sexual Eclesiástico (Network of Survivors of Ecclesiastical Sexual Abuse), had its first national meeting recently in Paraná. The group is comprised of survivors, family members, psychologists, lawyers, and also former priests.
https://www.pagina12.com.ar/106665-contra-los-abusadores-con-sotana
PA -- Catholic Diocese of Erie releases names of accused priests, laypeople; victims group responds
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Volunteer Secretary of SNAP’s Board of Directors (925-708-6175, [email protected])
We are always grateful when a diocese releases the names of accused priests. We are doubly grateful in this case, since Bishop Lawrence Persico has also released the names of accused laypeople, which we believe is a first.
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180406/erie-bishop-disclosures-part-of-search-for-truth
However, we must be blunt: Bishop Persico has been in charge of the Erie Diocese since 2012. We find it hard to believe that this is not a public relations move in response to the imminent release of the grand jury investigation into how Erie and five other Catholic dioceses handled allegations of sexual abuse. If Bishop Persico had truly cared about helping victims, he would have released the names years ago.
http://www.eriercd.org/nb_cv.htm
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180406/erie-bishop-disclosures-part-of-search-for-truth
Guam -- Canon lawyers say Vatican verdict against Guam archbishop probably not for sexual abuse: survivors respond
For immediate release Thursday, April 5, 2018
Statement by Tim Lennon, Volunteer President of SNAP’s Board of Directors (415-312-5820 [email protected])
Last month a Vatican tribunal found Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Guam "guilty of certain of the accusations" against him. This decision was hailed by some as the first time the Catholic Church had disciplined a bishop alleged to have sexually abused minors. The tribunal removed Apuron from his position and prohibited him from living on Guam. However, this week several canon lawyers have come forward to say that the verdict is unlikely to have been for sexual abuse, because Apuron was not defrocked.
Church officials cannot lead child protection movement
For immediate release Wednesday, February 28
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Executive Director for SNAP 314-503-0003 [email protected]
Claire Giangravè, “Papal adviser on sex abuse wants Church to offer experience to the world”
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/02/26/papal-adviser-sex-abuse-wants-church-offer-experience-world/
We at SNAP have heard a lot over the years about how church officials need to listen to abuse survivors. We’ve heard repeatedly about how new consultative bodies like the Vatican commission set up by Pope Francis to advise him about abuse in would amplify survivors’ voices. The talk, which recycles itself over and over with very little action to match it, sounds nice.
Priest charged after accusations of sexual misconduct
Immediately Release Thursday February 15, 2018
Statement by Frank Meuers, SNAP Minnesota Leader, 952-334-5180, [email protected]
Hearing of the sexual exploitation and abuse of a person should be of great concern to all of us. We know from past history that when one person comes forward with accusations of abuse there are many times others that have been abused by the same person, or have knowledge of such abuse. We at SNAP encourage all persons that may have any information about this, or any other, abuse to contact the St. Cloud police at once. It is important that we are all part of keeping our communities safe for all our citizens.
PA--SNAP responds: Two priests removed in Erie
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Leader, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
We applaud these brave victims for stepping forward and reporting their abuse. While Bishop Lawrence Persico has contacted local law enforcement we hope that he will take some additional steps to encourage victims, witnesses and whistle-blowers to come forward.
http://www.erienewsnow.com/story/37497453/two-diocese-of-erie-priests-removed-from-ministry-prohibited-from-contact-with-minors
We say to anyone who has been harmed by Father Sean Kerins and/or Father David Poulsen that you did nothing wrong, that help is available.
It's never too late to come forward about being sexually abused.
CA--Survivors’ group supports the work of Presentation High alumnae to make their school a safer place
For immediate release Thursday, February 8, 2018
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Volunteer SNAP East Bay Leader (925-708-6175, [email protected])
Nearly five thousand former students of Presentation High School in San Jose and their supporters have signed a petition demanding an independent investigation into how the administration handled reported sexual abuse over the past thirty years. To date twenty women allege that they were molested at the prestigious Catholic girls’ school, and eight staff members have been accused. Many of the students say they reported at the time, but administrators failed to contact authorities outside the school as required by law. Despite the growing list of allegations, school officials maintain that all reports were handled properly.
SNAP Stands in Support of Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Joseph White of the Church of the Living God
For immediate distribution Tuesday, February 7, 2018
Statement by Carol Zamonski, SNAP Central Ohio Leader, [email protected], 614-653-1502
SNAP Stands in support of all the known and unknown survivors of sexual abuse by Joseph White, founder of the Church of the Living God. We are horrified at both the abuse which has occurred and the weak response by the Board of Directors of The Church of the Living God. White’s retirement is not enough. The Church of the Living God should make a statement condemning his actions and report the allegations to police in his current residential area and any area where he has lived or served in the Church of the Living God. In addition the Church of the Living God should publicize the problem widely in their many congregations and in the cities in which they are located. Church leadership structure, guidelines and policies should be examined and reworked with the help of outside consultants to create a church movement and local church environment that is less likely to harbor sexual abusers in the future.
Victims of clergy sexual abuse will leaflet the Santa Fe Cathedral urging the Archbishop to update abusive clergy list
Group calls for the release of documents for the list
SNAP fears some credibly accused members of the clergy still have access to kids
WHAT
Clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will hand out flyers to parishioners asking them to urge Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester to update the list of all those in his archdiocese who have been accused of abusing children on his website and to post all the documents concerning these cases. The leaflets ask church-goers to join the advocates in pressing the archbishop to take this important step.
WHEN
Sunday, February 4, at 12:30 PM
WHERE
Outside the Cathedral of Saint Francis Assisi in Santa Fe, 131 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501
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