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).
MN--Twin Cities archbishop does “cram down” plan; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, May 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 hope a Minnesota judge rejects the arrogant, stingy “cram down” plan put forth today by Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda.
It’s what we see time and time again: arrogant Catholic officials masquerading as ‘caring’ but insisting it’s ‘my way or the highway.’
PA--Victims to hold support group in Ebensburg PA
For immediate release: Thursday, May 26, 2016
For more information: Judy Jones, 636-433-2511, SNAP[email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Support group to be held for clergy abuse victims
The self-help group for men and women who were abused by clergy will hold a confidential support meeting in the Ebensburg areaTuesday night.
The organization is SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The meeting will be Tuesday, May 31st from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Cottage Restaurant (private meeting room) 4554 Admiral Peary Hwy. Ebensburg, Pa.
NY--Victims: “Cardinal must act in twice-accused predator case”
For immediate release: Thursday, May 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])
New York Cardinal Tim Dolan should harshly, publicly and immediately denounce his Long Island colleague who is endangering kids by keeping a twice-accused predator priest on the job.
Dolan, as the “metropolitan” bishop over all of New York, has a duty to speak up loudly and clearly when church officials anywhere in New York jeopardize the safety of youngsters. That’s what’s happening now in the Rockville Centre diocese under Bishop William Murphy with Fr. Gregory Yacyshyn.
GA--Victims want Catholic official fired in abuse case
For immediate release: Thursday, May 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])
Atlanta Catholics and Holy Spirit Preparatory families deserve more information about allegations against Fr. Thomas Aloysius Flynn of the controversial Legion of Christ religious order. And Archbishop Wilton Gregory and the school’s board should fire the headmaster who refused to call police about suspected child sexual abuse.
Headmaster Kyle Pietrantonio allegedly followed church protocol. But he didn’t call 911. No matter what one’s employer requires in such cases, every caring adult should immediately call police when child sex crimes are reported or suspected.
IL--Archbishop keeps secret about “new facts” about admitted predator
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 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])
Chicago’s top Catholic official refuses to tell police, prosecutors, parishioners, parents or the public about “new facts” he says his staff have uncovered about an admitted predator priest. That’s reckless and wrong.
NJ--SNAP: Archbishop must act on indicted priest
For immediate release: Thursday, May 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])
An admitted New Jersey predator priest has been indicted and now Newark Archbishop John Myers must act. So too must three other prelates who let this child molesting cleric in their dioceses.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/ex-priest_indicted_in_alleged_sexual_assault_of_15.html
NJ--Victims urge investigation into judge, DA, & NJ ministers
For immediate release: Thursday, May 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 urge the New Jersey bar to investigate whether a prosecutor or a judge acted improperly in a troubling child sex abuse case involving a fugitive minister. And we urge law enforcement to investigate whether witnesses or church officials did the same.
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/page/the_search_for_preacher_gregorio_martinez.html
MN--Victims respond to charges of archdiocesan financial deceit
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 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])
One simple question cuts through the allegations that St. Paul Catholic officials are hiding substantial church assets: If they’ll deceive people about predator priests, why wouldn’t they deceive people about their massive wealth?
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747,[email protected])
FL--Orlando massage therapist is “restricted;” Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
For more information: Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Orlando massage therapist is “restricted”
He’s twice-accused of sexual misconduct
Group applauds state Health Dept. action
It urges “others in pain” to “come forward”
SNAP: “We’re convinced he’s hurt more women”
An Orlando massage therapist has been restricted by an emergency order from The Florida Department of Health because they say he “presents an immediate, serious danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.”
OR--Victims want church officials prosecuted in abuse case
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 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])
For two years, several Portland area church officials refused to call 911 about suspected child sex crimes. They should be prosecuted and jailed for as long as possible. To deter such callousness and recklessness, their selfishness should be punished as severely as possible.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/05/young_girl_got_herpes_after_mc.html
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