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).
NJ--Victims urge archbishop to act on abuse in waning days
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Statement by Mark Crawford, NJ State Director, SNAP 732-632-7687
The head of New Jersey’s largest Catholic jurisdiction, Newark Archbishop John Myers, is 75, the age at which prelates submit their resignations to Rome. We hope Pope Francis replaces him quickly.
In the days ahead, Myers should take five steps to better protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/retirement_looms_for_newark_archbishop_john_j_myer.html
WA--Ex-OK predator preacher accused; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, July 21, 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 pastor is accused of sexually abusing a girl for two years. Now, his current and former church colleagues and members must aggressively reach out to others who may have information or suspicions about his alleged crimes or possible church cover ups.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article90671007.html
Vatican--Papal aide told bishops to destroy evidence two years ago; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, July 21, 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])
Two years ago, the pope’s top US aide ordered two bishops to destroy evidence and blocked an investigation into clergy sex crimes, misdeeds and cover ups, according to a newly-released memo written by an “insider” priest and chancery office insider. Pope Francis must now discipline this wrongdoer. All four clerics - the nuncio who issued the order, the two bishops and the “whistleblower” priest (Fr. Daniel Griffith) – all kept silent, for two years, about this inappropriate and perhaps illegal move.
Consider the source here: The 11 page memo was written by a trusted Catholic priest who is no renegade, but holds a job at the archdiocesan headquarters. In today’s New York Times, he’s quoted as saying he stands by what he wrote.
IL-Notorious southern IL predator priest dies; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20
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])
Local Catholic officials have kept hidden the passing of Robert J. Vonnahmen, one of Southern Illinois' most notorious pedophile priests. For decades, he
--ran a camp in Johnson County that attracted thousands of kids from across the Midwest,
--headed a Madison County-based tour and travel agency,
--worked in several southern Illinois parishes, and
--lived in Hardin County in what the Belleville News Democrat called “a sprawling, 2,600 square foot, $350,000 Mediterranean-style villa high above the Ohio River.”
MI--New records released re controversial ex-Detroit bishop
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 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])
Newly released records on an archbishop who rose through Catholic church ranks in Michigan – and worked in a Michigan parish months ago – detail his allegedly “promiscuous” sexual activity “as a priest and bishop in Detroit.”
WA--Seattle-area predator preacher accused; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20, 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 Bellingham pastor is accused of sexually abusing a girl for two years. Now, his current and former church colleagues and members must aggressively reach out to others who may have information or suspicions about his alleged crimes or possible church cover ups.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article90671007.html
MN--Archdiocese & prosecutor reach deal
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20
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 remain convinced that John Choi could and should have filed criminal charges against individual complicit Catholic officials, not Catholic institution, especially had he acted sooner and more aggressively. We’re disappointed that well-educated, self-serving church bureaucrats have again spent parishioners’ donations on high-priced lawyers and are successfully evading consequences for repeatedly and callously putting children in harms’ way so they could protect their clerical careers and reputations.
TX--Suit says priest abused girl for six years
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20
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 girl and her family are suing a Catholic priest and his church supervisors, charging that Fr. Stephen Tarleton Dougherty repeatedly abused her for six years, starting when she was seven, from 2005-2011. We applaud her for her courage and hope her bravery will inspire others who are suffering to come forward.
KY--Trial set for twice-accused predator priest
Trial set for twice-accused predator priest
Victims group begs others to “come forward” with info
For 30 years, cleric headed a camp for children in Kentucky
SNAP: “We suspect there are other witnesses, whistleblowers & victims”
Staying “trapped in silence” helps no one, victims say, & “endangers kids”
A November 28 trial date has been set for a Louisville priest who is accused of molesting two children and spent 30 years running a camp for kids.
Victims blast Franco Harris over his Paterno comments
For immediate release: Monday, July 18
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])
Shame on Franco Harris for his continuing callous remarks about child sex abuse victims. We beg him to stop, think about what he’s saying and start caring more about vulnerable children and suffering adults and less about football figures. We urge him to apologize.
Last week, the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers player cast doubt on the Jerry Sandusky victim who said, under oath, that decades ago, he promptly reported the abuse he suffered to Joe Paterno and other PSU staff.
The York Dispatch reported that Harris said he “had doubts about the veracity of the statements” by Sandusky victims.
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