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).
Admitted abuser college prof to perform in Carnegie Hall with teens
Admitted abuser college prof to perform in Carnegie Hall with teens
MI College didn’t tell high school, churches about prof's past
“Adrian College duped production company and high school choir,” group says
A Michigan music professor who admitted to sexually molesting two teens while he was a teacher in California will be taking his choirs to Carnegie Hall in March, where they will be performing with a high school choir and four other groups.
SNAP, the Survivors Network (SNAPNetwork.org), believes that the neither the touring company, Mid-America Productions, based in New York City, Link: http://midamerica-music.com/concerts-2018-2/, nor any of the churches, colleges, or the high school involved, were warned about the Adrian College professor, Dr. Thomas Hodgman.
MN – Accused priest reinstated, SNAP responds
For immediate release Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Statement by Melanie Sakoda of California, Volunteer Member of SNAP’s Board of Directors (925-708-6175, [email protected])
On December 26, 2017, the Diocese of Crookston announced that it was reinstating a priest, Father Patrick Sullivan, who was placed on administrative leave in early 2016. A lawsuit was filed at that time alleging the clergyman had abused a 15 year old boy in 2008. No criminal charges have been filed against the priest. The clergyman has denied the allegations, and the diocese has stated that no other allegations have been made against him. Following an internal investigation, the diocese found the allegations were not credible. The suit is still pending.
OH – Columbus priest takes his own life in wake of allegations involving a minor, SNAP responds
For immediate release Friday, December 22, 2017
Statement by Judy Jones, Volunteer SNAP Midwest Associate Leader (636-433-2511, [email protected])
Father James Csaszar, former pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in New Albany, Ohio, recently took his own life in Chicago. The priest had been on administrative leave since November 7th, when the Diocese of Columbus reportedly became aware of “excessive and questionable text and telephone communications with a minor.” The priest was working at Saint Rose Parish in New Lexington at the time of the inappropriate communications.
We here at SNAP, the Survivors Network, are extremely disturbed by the tone-deaf statement released by the Diocese of Columbus in response to Father Csaszar’s suicide.
Former Boston Cardinal Bernard Law dies at age 86
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
We are sure that many people will have mixed feelings about the death of Cardinal Bernard Law.
Survivors of child sexual assault in Boston, who were first betrayed by Law's cover-up of sex crimes and then doubly betrayed by his subsequent promotion to Rome, were those most hurt. No words can convey the pain these survivors and their loved ones suffered.
Our only hope is that the Vatican keeps these survivors in mind when it comes time for the cardinal’s funeral. We highly doubt there is a single victim of abuse who will ever receive the same attention, pomp and circumstance by Pope Francis. Every single Catholic should ask Pope Francis and the Vatican why. Why Law’s life was so celebrated when Boston's clergy sex abuse survivors suffered so greatly? Why was Law promoted when Boston’s Catholic children were sexually abused, ignored, and pushed aside time and time again?
Australia Royal Commission Recommends Sweeping Child Safety Changes in Catholic Church, Victims Respond
Statement by Steven Spaner, SNAP Australia Coordinator, [email protected], +1 (314) 994-3534
The findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission are a watershed moment in the child safety movement. Institutions and wrongdoers across Australia are now on notice that turning a blind eye to child sexual abuse abuse—or covering up abuse to save the reputation of a church or a school—is no longer tolerable.
Bishops will be quick to scoff that the report is anti-Catholic and an attack on the tenets of the faith. That is not true. The report is an attack on bad conduct—bad conduct that must stop. The way to stop bad conduct is through strict adherence to good policy. It also requires that the laity, whose children have been so deeply hurt, become stakeholders in the decision-making process.
NY--Archdiocese says abuse in the past, yet refuses to open secret files
For immediate release Thursday, December 14, 2017
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director (949) 322-7434 cell, [email protected]
The New York Archdiocese has known about the extent of child sex abuse in its boundaries for decades. It’s a shame that it’s taken until now for church officials to finally reach out to a small portion of victims who have suffered childhood sexual assault by members of the clergy.
Any step that helps victims on the path to healing should be applauded. We hope that the Archbishop Dolan will expand the program in 2018 to help those abused in the New York Archdiocese by religious order priests, nuns, brothers and lay employees. These groups also worked with NY children under the supervision of the Archbishop.
UT--LDS Church flat-out wrong about one-on-one interviews with children, Victims group says
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader, [email protected], 949-322-7434
No other reputable institutional church, private or public school, sports group, youth serving organization, or community center allows one-on-one meetings between adults and children. Why? It’s an invitation for sexual abuse. Why is the LDS church endorsing this horrible practice?
This week, the LDS Church defended conducting one-on-one interviews between high-ranking church officials and 12-to-17-year-old congregation members, saying that "Personal interviews are an important part of ministering to those in a congregation.” In these interviews, many of the adults ask the children about sex, masturbation, and pornography.
Alabama sends strong message to victims
For immediate release, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Executive Director, 314-503-0003 [email protected]
We applaud the wisdom and the courage of the people in Alabama for sending such a strong message to any child being sexually abused. If you are or have been sexually assaulted and find the courage to step forward, you will be believed, and we will help you. Children everywhere need to know that help is available, and the adults will step in to protect them. We hope others will follow their amazing example.
For children to be safe we need the whole community to be involved and make decisions based on what will make it easier for a child to step forward and report abuse.
Newly convicted priest worked in Sacramento, AZ, AL
Newly convicted priest worked in Sacramento, AZ, AL
Allegations of abuse may go back decades
Victim was Wisconsin 7-9 year old girl
Before plea deal, priest worked in parishes with schools, Sac Boy Scouts, Maricopa Children’s Hospital
This week, a former Sacramento, AZ, and AL priest will be sentenced in Wisconsin after pleading guilty to reduced charges of sexual assault on a child under 13.
Fr. Robert Marsicek pled guilty Milwaukee in October. He was facing charges of first degree sexual assault for sexually assaulting a seven to nine-year-old girl from 2007 to 2010. http://fox6now.com/2017/10/23/priest-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-school-aged-girl-pleads-guilty-to-amended-charges/
According to publicly available sources, however, as early as 2005, church officials had ordered Marsicek to “stop hugging and kissing children” and knew that he had “boundary issues” with children. http://www.bishop-accountability.org/assign/Marsicek_Robert_R_sds.htm
NY--Archdiocese pays 3 men $250k each, maintains secrecy, and covers for abuser priest
For immediate release Monday, December 11, 2017
Statement by Kate Bochte SNAP leader 630-768-1860, [email protected])
Three Hudson Valley men have bravely disclosed years of sexual abuse by a since-defrocked Catholic priest, Gennaro “Jerry” Gentile, leading the Archdiocese of New York to pay each man $250,000 in compensation.
We commend these men for coming forward. Doing so will likely help prevent child abuse, help others who have been or are being abused share their own accounts, and help hold those who commit or enable sexual abuse accountable for their actions.