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).
CA--Victims praise new Stanford abuse lawsuit
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
Sexual violence is too common and too devastating to be left solely to the criminal justice system. That’s why we applaud the brave Stanford woman who is now suing the university for allegedly acting with 'deliberate indifference' to reports of sexual assault.
WI--Minister arrested on child sex charges; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
A Hale’s Corner minister has been arrested on child sex charges. We are glad that he’s been caught but we’re disappointed in how his supervisors and colleagues are responding. We call on them to work aggressively to help law enforcement prosecute the offender and find - and help – any other victims.
http://www.dcourier.com/news/2016/nov/26/pastor-charged-multiple-counts-child-molestation/
Vatican--Victims question “resources” offered by papal abuse commission
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
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])
Among other “resources,” the new Vatican abuse website “provides links to statements by Popes John Paul II, Benedict and Francis over the past 15 years on the subject.”
Really?
Vatican--Victims “depressed” by papal abuse panel website
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
The new website of the papal abuse panel is depressingly disingenuous.
Poland--Victims blast Polish authorities re Roman Polanski
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are disappointed that once again Roman Polanski is escaping justice.
http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/4679028-155/polands-top-court-upholds-refusal-to
Argentina--Convicted abuser attacked in church; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are upset that a convicted child molester was beaten to death in an Argentine church. Violence is never the answer.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/851181/pedophile-killed-in-attack-by-parents-inside-cathedral
OR--Victims urge church staff to do outreach re predator
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are glad that a Baptist youth pastor has been arrested and allegedly admitted child sex crimes. But we’re disappointed in how his supervisors and colleagues are responding and call on them to work aggressively to help law enforcement prosecute the offender and find and help his victims.
http://www.mailtribune.com/news/20161205/former-ashland-pastor-faces-sex-abuse-charges
MI--2 accused in priest abuse case quietly move out of Michigan; Victims cry “foul”
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003cell, [email protected])
Two accused church officials quietly move
One still works for an institution training priests
Victims’ blast “reckless secrecy” of Saginaw’ Catholic bishop
Investigation showed cleric “sexually harassed” a then-22 year old
Lawsuit says church official accused victim of seducing older priest
Two defendants in a civil abuse and cover up lawsuit involving a Saginaw priest have apparently moved out of state. A victims group is blasting the priest’s supervisor for “doing what bishops have done for decades: letting alleged wrongdoers quietly move away after being accused and work again among unsuspecting and vulnerable families.”
One of the accused, Trudy McCaffrey, still works for the church in Irene, South Dakota where she’s a "spiritual director" for Broom Tree Retreat, cultivating new priests. The other defendant, the alleged predator in the case, Father Denis Heames, now works for a San Diego California lawyer.
https://m.facebook.com/InstituteforPriestlyFormation/posts/128704013975273
PA--Victims “thrilled” by ruling in Bill Cosby case
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We’re thrilled for Andrea Constand and all victims of sexual violence, many of whom will no doubt feel some sense of relief and vindication at a decision today in the Bill Cosby case. A judge ruled that a 2005 deposition in which Cosby “admits to extramarital affairs and giving other women drugs with their consent so they'd have sex with him can be used by attorneys in a criminal case against him,” according to CNN.
Thousands of predators have exploited legal technicalities and maneuvers to suppress evidence against themselves. We’re grateful this one offender no longer can.
Switzerland--Victims blast Swiss church abuse program
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis Missouri, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are deeply skeptical of Catholic church abuse victim pay out plans like the one just adopted by Swiss bishops.