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).
TN-- Victims want Mid-South preacher fired
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
Victims want minister ousted
He admits not calling police in alleged abuse case
Still, he’s now with a regional Baptist group in TN
“This just encourages others to stay silent about abuse,” group says
Instead, SNAP wants church officials to “punish him and deter cover ups”
That’s how wrongdoing will be discouraged & victim will heal, support group maintains
A support group wants a Mid-South church organization to oust a Baptist minister who admits he didn’t call police when alleged child sex crimes were reported to him.
TN--Predator priest passes, bishop is silent; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 17, 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])
Lexington Catholic officials are being callous and secretive about the death of a predator priest. We hope they will reverse course and tell the public about his passing. And we hope his death will prompt others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes – or crimes by other clerics- to come forward.
Fr. John B. Modica passed away a year ago. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nky/obituary.aspx?pid=176300773
UT--Victims urge Mormon to “avoid delays” in abuse case
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 17, 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 Utah judge is letting an alleged abuse victim have his day in court in a Mormon-related child sex abuse and cover up case. We are relieved and thrilled. Now, we hope church officials will now cooperate fully and quickly so the full truth can be revealed about a troubling church program which involved tens of thousands of kids over more than a half century. http://www.sltrib.com/news/4596141-155/abuse-case-against-mormon-church-to
IN--Notre Dame wins police records lawsuit filed by ESPN, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, November 16, 2015
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), SNAP East Bay Director (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that the University of Notre Dame's campus police department is not a "public agency" under Indiana law. The decision means that the school does not have to release information about investigations requested by sports media company ESPN.
TN--Victims urge outreach by church & library in alleged abuse case
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 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 Memphis Public library has suspended a former youth minister who is accused of molesting at least three kids. That’s not enough.
GA--“Punish secretive church officials,” victims group says
For immediate release, November 16, 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])
Atlanta area church officials admit they had a convicted child molester in their midst but kept this information from their flock. Now he’s hurt more kids. This is alarming. Heads must roll.
NJ--Poker playing priest accused of child porn has court hearing
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 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])
A Newark NJ Catholic priest faces child pornography charges and a court hearing this week. We hope he’s convicted. We call on Newark’s top Catholic official, Archbishop John Myers, to aggressively reach out to anyone who may have information or suspicions about his crimes.
And we hope this news prompts others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police so Fr. Kevin A. Gugliotta might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
MO--Abuse & retaliation suit filed vs. huge firm about foster kids
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016
Unusual child abuse suit is filed
It’s against huge, for-profit company
Firm does foster care placement across US
State agency found that it deceived foster mom
That led to a teenage boy abusing her grandchild
Then, the firm retaliated against her in two ways, suit says
An unusual new lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a boy, his mom and his grandmother. It charges that a huge, nation-wide company deceived a veteran foster parent, knowingly put a teenager who had molested before into her home, and retaliated against her after she reported that the teen sexually abused her grandchild.
IN--Victims back Indiana bishop’s bid for national office
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 14, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected]
Victims back Indiana bishop’s bid for national office
They “vigorously oppose” candidate running against him
The world’s largest group of clergy sex abuse victims is backing a top Indiana Catholic official who’s running to head a national church abuse panel and opposing a Washington prelate who is also in the race.
http://cny.org/stories/US-Bishops-to-Elect-Officers-Hear-Task-Force-Report-Vote-on-Action-Plan,14653
Vatican--Pope “snubs” ex-Denver archbishop; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 10, 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])
This week, Pope Francis “snubbed” Colorado’s former top Catholic official (who now heads the Philadelphia Archdiocese). While we may disagree with the pontiff’s reasons, we are grateful that Philly Archbishop Charles Chaput has been given no further honors or recognition or power in the church hierarchy.
Widely respected Catholic journalist David Gibson of Religion News Service writes that Pope Francis’ decision to promote an Indiana archbishop to become a cardinal and head the much-larger Newark archdiocese “was also viewed by church observers as something of a snub to Chaput. Philadelphia’s five previous archbishops, going back nearly a century, had all been made cardinals.
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