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).
MA--Catholic teacher accused of abuse; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 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])
Boston area Catholic officials are accused of committed and concealing child sex crimes by a female teacher against a girl. We hope this lawsuit will bring comfort to some, knowing that an alleged sex offender has now been “outed” and knowing that youngsters are now safer. We also hope this case will expose what her colleagues and supervisors did and didn’t do to protect kids. And we hope others who have information or suspicions about her crimes will come forward now to protect others and begin healing.
http://www.wcvb.com/news/woman-says-catholic-school-ignored-sex-abuse-by-teacher-coach/41024144
MN--MN bishop won’t release abuse investigation into archbishop
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 3
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])
Minnesota’s top Catholic official will keep hidden an investigation into his predecessor who’s accused of concealing child sex crimes, committing sexual misconduct and retaliating against some who rebuffed his sexual advances.
MA--Western MA school settles abuse case
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 3
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 applaud the brave man who has settled his child sex abuse and cover up suit against a high profile western Massachusetts private school. We hope this decision will help him heal and help other victims come forward.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/08/deerfield_academy_reaches_200k.html
VA--Church abuse panel questions EMU's choice of consulting firm
For immediate release: Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
Statement by Barbra Graber, SNAP Leader, 540-214-8874, [email protected]
We are grateful that the Mennonite Panel on Sexual Abuse Prevention did not affirm the choice of D. Stafford and Associates as EMU's chosen consulting firm. For a range of reasons, we believe it is inappropriate and even potentially harmful for this law firm to 'investigate' EMU or any other Mennonite institution regarding sexual misconduct by church leaders.
RI--RI elite school settles
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 3
Statement by Ann Hagan Webb, Rhode Island director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
([email protected], 617-513-8442)
We applaud the brave, compassionate and persistent victims at a Rhode Island for being smart enough to unite, brave enough to share their pain, wise enough to consult attorneys and strong enough to endure a long process of justice, prevention and healing. Their success should deter would-be wrongdoers and inspire suffering victims.
PA--Philly Catholic “enabler’ is freed
For immediate release: Tuesday, Aug. 2
Statement by Karen Polesir, Philadelphia area volunteer director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ([email protected])
A Philadelphia church staffer who repeatedly refused to call 911 about child molesting clerics will soon be released from prison. We applaud prosecutor Seth Williams’ vow to retry him.
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/08/02/attorney-monsignor-lynn-ordered-to-be-released-on-bail/
LA--Priest arrested on child porn charges
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 27
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 Lafayette priest has been arrested on child porn charges. Now, it’s up to his Catholic supervisors and colleagues to aggressively seek out anyone with suspicions or knowledge of any crimes by him and beg them to call law enforcement.
Australia--Abuse case vs. Vatican’s #2 moves forward; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 27
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis MO, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,[email protected])
Police have sent to prosecutors their investigation into the second most powerful Catholic official on earth. Eight brave individuals – most of them alleged child sex abuse victims - have given sworn statements. Three are courageously disclosing their names and giving credible interviews to a credible, mainstream news source in a new 30 minute program.
PA--Victims respond to freeing of Catholic official
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 27
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 impending freedom of Msgr. William Lynn – only the second US Catholic official to be convicted of essentially enabling child sex crimes – will no doubt feel like yet another blow to hundreds of wounded Philly area abuse victims and thousands of betrayed Philly area Catholics.
Needless to say, it’s more important than ever that people with knowledge or suspicions about complicity by Lynn or other church officials call secular authorities.
And needless to say, no matter how uphill it might seem, we hope prosecutors seek a new trial. Vigorously pursuing those who act recklessly, callously and deceitfully with kids’ safety is one sure way to make kids safer and more recklessness, callousness and deceit is deterred.
TX--Victims urge church outreach in abuse case
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 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 Ft. Worth Catholic volunteer is being investigated on three child sex abuse reports. Ft. Worth’s bishop must go to that church this weekend and aggressively prod anyone with information or suspicions to call police.
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