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).
NY - SNAP statement regarding the removal of Greek Orthodox priest from ministry
For immediate release: Saturday, January 14, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The National Herald reported on January 13th that Father Luke Melackrinos has been suspended from ministry by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) for alleged inappropriate electronic contact with an adult female parishioner.
CO--Musician accused of abuse to perform in Boulder; victims respond
For immediate release: Saturday, January 14, 2017
NY--Victims to Cuomo: NY can follow Hawaii’s successful lead with Child Victims Act
Statement by Joelle Casteix, volunteer western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAPNetwork.org, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
MO--Parishioner banned from Kansas City diocese properties for interactions with children; Victims respond
Statement by Joelle Casteix, volunteer western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAPNetwork.org, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article125995379.html
The Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph broke the state’s mandated reporting law last month. And they want the parents, children, and parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church to keep quiet about it.
The painful tenure of convicted child pornographer Shawn Ratigan was a tragic blow to the parish. Now, parents have learned that a long-time volunteer has repeatedly violated boundaries with children. He violated boundaries so often during his 20-years at the school, in fact, that he was put on a “safety plan,” according to a letter sent to parents by the pastor of St. Patrick’s parish in December.
The man banned from the parish even admitted to a reporter yesterday that he acts inappropriately with children.
But that was not enough for church staff to call law enforcement. They decided to handle it internally.
PA--Penn State Abuse Scandal Costs Approach a Quarter-Billion, victims respond
For immediate release, January 10, 2017
Statement by Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Penn State officials could have done one simple thing to save a quarter billion dollars and dozens of young innocent lives: call the police when they saw or suspected abuse.
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2017/01/10/438436.htm
No institution, no building, no football program, and no storied coach is more important than the life and innocence of one child. Unfortunately, the only way that our system can “punish” Penn State University is through large civil settlements, fines, and costs. Only a fraction of the adults involved in the conspiracy to cover-up Jerry Sandusky’s crimes will be criminally charged.
UT--Pope Francis names Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles Oscar Solis as Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Victims Respond
For immediate release, January 10, 2017
Statement by Joelle Casteix, volunteer western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAPNetwork.org, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
Bishop Oscar Solis spent a little more than a decade in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles—a decade marred by expensive and embarrassing public relations nightmares under Cardinal Roger Mahony, years-long legal battles to keep evidence of sexual abuse secret from victims and the public, and little to no pastoral outreach to hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by dozens and dozens of Los Angeles priests. We hope that his leadership in Salt Lake City will be very different.
UT—LDS church poised to fight subpoena in sexual abuse case, SNAP responds
For immediate release, January 7, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, volunteer member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175)
The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Thomas S. Monson, has been subpoenaed by lawyers in a civil suit to answer questions about what Monson knows about accusations of sexual abuse in a church-run program on a Navajo reservation during the 1960s and 1970s. Monson is the only official from the time who is still alive. The LDS has indicated that they intend to try to quash the subpoena.
NY--Sex crime statute of limitations debate returns to New York, victims respond
For immediate release, January 6, 2017
Statement by Joelle Casteix, volunteer western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAPNetwork.org, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
IN--Abuse victims challenge newly-elected bishop
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 19, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected], Barbara Dorris314 503 0003 cell, [email protected]
Indiana bishop wins bid for national office
Victims challenge him to “do more to protect kids”
Last month, a top Indiana Catholic official won his bid to head a national church sex abuse panel. Now, a victims group that supported him is urging him to “do more to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth about clergy who commit and conceal child sex crimes.”
http://www.snapnetwork.org/rome_snap_s_20_steps_for_pope_francis
MS--New bishop named; Victims are skeptical
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 16, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790cell, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
A new bishop is coming to the Biloxi Catholic diocese. Though we know little about him, we’re skeptical that Louis Kihneman will make Mississippi’s kids any safer.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-biloxi-bishop-humbled-joyed-by-his-appointment-73524/
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