Media Statements

For immediate release: Thursday, April 28, 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’re glad officials at the Wrestling Hall of Fame are considering removing Hastert’s name and honors. But they should have done so long ago.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-dennis-hastert-wrestling-hall-of-fame-20160428-story.html

For immediate release: Thursday, April 28, 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 applaud an Illinois judge who is protecting the privacy of a victim of Denny Hastert. If kids are to be protected from predators, we must make it easier and safer for victims to come forward at any time under any circumstances.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dennis-hastert-lawsuit-accuser-can-stay-anonymous-now-n564206

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 27, 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’re grateful that the trial of three Pennsylvania Catholic officials who repeatedly ignored and hid child sex abuse reports against a cleric will go forward.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-lawyers-argue-judge-friars-case-38711199

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/04/principal_franciscans_didnt_me.html

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 27, 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 Rep. Paul Ryan and the House of Representatives to censure Dennis Hastert. Inaction makes it harder for victims to report crimes. But strong action – and sometimes strong statements – can make it easier for victims to step up, expose wrongdoers and protect kids.

http://gawker.com/when-will-the-house-censure-dennis-hastert-the-child-p-1773398760

We also hope that Congress will act on Senator Chuck Schumer’s new proposal to reform the federal statute of limitations on child sex crimes.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/sen-schumer-pushes-extend-statute-sex-crimes-victims-article-1.2609238

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 27

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747)

We’re grateful that Dennis Hastert will be jailed. Jailing child molesters, even elderly ones, is the best way to protect kids. Jailing him might also deter others from hiding child sex crimes.

In our view, jail time is more about prevention than punishment. It will also help encourage others who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes to protect kids by calling police, exposing wrongdoers and seeking justice.   

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 27, 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’re very sad but not surprised that Catholic school officials dismissed an abuse report that now seems clear was accurate. Countless times, Catholic church and school staff claim their so-called “internal investigations” – which are usually biased and inadequate – “cleared” an alleged sex offender who is often caught later by others or who offends again.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/schools/new-video-evidence-supports-boys-claims-of-sexual-assault-on-buffalo-school-bus-20160426

(Earlier this week, for instance, a man became the second person to sue Fr. Gregory Yacyshyn for child sex crimes. But Bishop William Murphy is letting Fr. Yacyshyn stay at work in a parish, claiming a church “investigation” can’t substantiate the charges.)

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_new_lawsuit_says_accused_predator_priest_is_in_long_island_parish_now

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_second_abuse_case_filed_vs_priest_still_on_the_job

For immediate release: Wednesday, April 27, 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])

Bishop Edward Rice, the new head of the Springfield diocese, should publicly urge a statewide Catholic men’s group from honoring perhaps the most disgraced US prelate ever, his predecessor, Cardinal Bernard Law

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 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’re thrilled that caring and courageous parishioners challenged a reckless and secretive archbishop, and that a convicted predator priest will not head a parish with an elementary school.

http://newsok.com/article/5494351

http://kfor.com/2016/04/23/priest-convicted-of-sex-crime-finds-home-in-lawton-parish/

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 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])

Long Island’s Catholic bishop must suspend a priest who now faces two pending child sex abuse lawsuits. Or other church officials must discipline and denounce him for his recklessness.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/lawsuit-second-lier-claims-sex-abuse-by-catholic-priest-1.11732127

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 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])

Kids are safer now because a Columbus predator priest has passed away.  We hope this news will bring some comfort to those he assaulted.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/04/26/Accused-priest-dies.html