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).
SNAP flier in Colorado about the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV)
Help us protect kids
Who We Are
We belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
What we want
We want to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, expose the truth and deter future cover-ups
Why we’re here
Your Catholic officials have imported and are supporting a controversial, secretive, cult-like group from Peru. Its founder is a child molester, according to his own successors. At least seven others in the group are accused of abuse, kidnapping and other crimes.
What is this group?
It's called the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV). It’s also sometimes called the Christian Life movement or SCV. The SCV runs or has run the retreat center for the archdiocese called Camp Malo and Holy Name parish in Sheridan.
Why should you believe us?
Don't take our word about it and the charges against it. Google its name, especially on a website BishopAccountability.org. You will see that a number of Catholic officials themselves have denounced the group and acknowledge its wrongdoing.
What do we want we want?
We want Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Archbishop Charles Chaput, as well as other Catholic staff in Denver and Philadelphia to publicly disclose and denounce the wrongdoing by SCV members. We want the two archbishops to publicly warn their colleagues and other churches, schools and camps about these men.
How can you help?
Ask church officials to be forthcoming about the SCV. Urge them to supervise local SCV members closely. Tell your friends and family about the group.
Have more questions?
See our website or contact David Clohessy 314-566-9790 (cell), [email protected]
NJ--Poker playing priest accused of child porn: Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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. 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.
IL--Priest with Chicago-based group is accused of strangling a four month old
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Orthodox Christian Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A priest with a Chicago-based group was charged with strangling an infant last week. We urge his church supervisors and colleagues to aggressively help law enforcement investigate and prosecute this cleric and do everything they can to find others who may have information or suspicions about his crimes.
Australia--Victims urge Pope to suspend Pell
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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 renew our plea to Pope Francis: for the safety of kids, suspend Cardinal George Pell, pending the outcome of the police investigation into charges that he may have sexually violated as many as ten youngsters.
We are grateful that the investigation into Pell’s alleged crimes continues. We urge police to move quickly but thoroughly. It’s encouraging that law enforcement officials sent three officers to Rome to question Pell.
Over a year, more than a dozen cops and say they’ve found five or ten alleged victims of Pope Francis’ top aide. That’s pretty credible and serious. Again, for the safety of the vulnerable, the pontiff should temporarily oust Pell.
PA--Victims seek Scranton bishop’s help with ex-priest wanting parole
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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 former priest who was convicted of child sex crimes in the Scranton diocese is up for parole. We hope he’s kept in prison. We call on Scranton’s top Catholic official, Bishop Joseph Bambera, 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 he might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20080814/NEWS/308149989
VA--Minister to hold meeting about “cover up charges”
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 For more info: Barbra Graber, SNAP Leader, 540-214-8874, [email protected]
Support group posts info about lawsuit against him
On Wednesday, he will talk about concerns with congregants
A minister who was accused and sued for covering up sexual abuse within his church is reportedly holding a meeting Wednesday with his congregants to discuss the matter. A support group plans to email members of the congregation with information about the accusations.
Rev. Samuel G. Wenger is head pastor at Freedom Fellowship, an independent church he started in Broadway VA after he was denied a vote of affirmation from his congregation at Cornerstone Church also in Broadway.
NY--Ex-Brooklyn predator priest seeks parole; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 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 former Brooklyn priest who was convicted of child sex crimes is up for parole in northeastern Pennsylvania. We hope he’s kept in prison. And we hope this news prompts others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police so he might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20080814/NEWS/308149989
OR--Orthodox pastor arrested on a sex charge, victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A Serbian Orthodox priest was arrested last week on a sex charge and a St. Louis based victims’ group wants church officials to stop some parishioners from rallying around him.
Father Daniel James Mackay, pastor of Saint John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church in Eugene, was arrested on October 12th on suspicion of purchasing sex with a minor on more than one occasion and also of using the girl to traffic cocaine.
KS, MO, NJ--Victims want “outreach” about arrested priest
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 20, 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 priest faces charges of strangling a four year old in a Kansas City suburb. His church supervisors and colleagues must aggressively reach out to others in KS, MO and NJ who may have seen, suspected or suffered other crimes by the cleric.
WA--Victims want Bellingham principal fired
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
Statement by Mary Dispenza, volunteer Seattle director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (425-644-2468, [email protected])
Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain should fire a Bellingham principal for deceiving parents – in at least two ways - about a sex offender at a Catholic elementary school.http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article108369317.html