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).
PA--Archbishop manipulates parishioners in political ad
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])
Philadelphia’s top Catholic official plans to use parishioners in a political ad in a battle to reform Pennsylvania’s predator-friendly child sex abuse laws. Shame on him and on every church staffer and member who’s cooperating in this deceitful effort.
This Friday, May 27th, from 6:30-8:30PM at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, archdiocesan officials will give a “short presentation on House Bill 1947” followed by “audience participation in filming a short commercial on this issue.” (See email from church official below)
The measure would temporarily lift the state’s arbitrary and archaic statute of limitations, enabling victims to expose those who committed and are concealing child sex crimes.
USA--Bishops promote complacency when they should be promoting vigilance
For immediate release: Friday, May 20, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home,[email protected])
Year after year, bishops issue the same flawed, deceptive self-survey trying to promote complacency when they should be promoting vigilance.
Under intense public pressure 14 years ago, US bishops adopted a weak, vague abuse policy. Bishops ‘comply’ with these self-serving steps of course because their insurers, defense lawyers and public relations experts insist that they do.
And even then, they often give only the appearance of compliance.
For example, at least ten admitted, proven or credibly accused pedophile priests remain on the job in the US today.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/usa_accused_predator_priests_still_on_the_job
OH, IL – Predatory seminarian is sentenced; Sex abuse victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, May 20, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Christian Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
Former seminarian Dario Spasic pleaded guilty this week to one count of indecent solicitation of a child. He was sentenced to probation, and will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
We had hoped for jail time, since that is the only proven way to stop a predator from hurting children. The former seminarian is a relatively young man. We firmly believe that he will try to harm more kids.
IL--Admitted predator priest will not be put back to work in Chicago
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 18, 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])
An admitted child molesting cleric will NOT be put back on the job in Chicago, his victim was told today via email by an archdiocesan official. (A copy of the email is below.)
Fr. Bruce Wellems admits having repeatedly sexually abused Eric Johnson when Wellems was 15 and Johnson was seven. The Chicago Archdiocese temporarily suspended Fr. Wellems but dragged their feet for months while pondering whether to let the priest work again in Chicago again.
Guam--Man alleges archbishop molested him as a child, Victims respond
For Immediate Release, May 16, 2016
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, CA, Western Regional Director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPNetwork.org) ([email protected], 949-322-7434 cell)
We applaud Roy T. Quintanilla, who today bravely stood and told his story of sexual abuse. It is always difficult for survivors to come forward and expose abusers, but when the accused predator is one of the most powerful people in a community, it takes herculean effort and strong support. By coming forward today, Roy has made Guam safer for children, exposed a horrific crime and decades-long cover-up, and began the journey towards healing, for himself and the Catholic community at large.
http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/16/man-alleges-archbishop-molested-him/84469094/
VA--Mennonite Panel recommends investigation
For immediate release: Monday, May 16,2016
Statement by Barbra Graber, SNAP Leader, 540-214-8874, [email protected]
We applaud the recommendation of a Mennonite church panel charged with prevention of sexual abuse to bring in outside investigators to look into the case of an ex-Mennonite university vice president accused of sexual abuse, stalking, threats of violence, and verbal abuses.
http://mennoniteusa.org/news/panel-recommends-investigation/
OR--Portland predator priest is guilty; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 11, 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 Oregon priest is guilty of trying to lure a girl into his car. Now, Portland’s archbishop and other Catholic officials must aggressively seek out others who may have experienced or ignored or concealed his crimes. And we hope next month he’s locked up for as long as possible
http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/may/10/priest-guilty-of-trying-to-lure-girl/
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2014/03_04/2014_04_25_Achen_PriestAppears.htm
FL--Massage therapist is guilty of battery; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, May 10, 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])
We are grateful that a judge found an ex-West Boca Massage Envy staffer guilty of battery on a female client. We hope Raymond L. Smith Jr. never again works as a massage therapist and that others with information or suspicions about his crimes will come forward, get help, call police, protect others and deter employers from acting recklessly, callously and deceitfully in such cases.
We applaud this brave woman for doing her moral and civic duty by reporting Smith to law enforcement. We hope others who may be suffering in silence, shame and self-blame will do likewise.
PA--Penn State president should resign over abuse remarks
For immediate release: Tuesday, May 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])
Penn State University’s president should resign. If he doesn’t, he should be forced out by university trustees. At a bare minimum, he should be severely disciplined.
He’s making a tragic situation worse by attacking victims, adding to their pain, and discouraging others who are suffering from protecting kids by speaking up and exposing predators.
PA--Victims blast Altoona “healing services”
For immediate release: Tuesday, May 10, 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])
In an insulting but shrewd public relations move, Altoona’s bishop is holding self-serving “healing” events instead of protecting kids through decisive action. http://dioceseaj.org/node/1075
In the 147 page grand jury report, released two months ago, perhaps the most disturbing fact is that the jurors are “concerned the purge of predators is taking too long.”
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