Media Statements

For immediate release: Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

We’re grateful that accused murderer and ex-priest John Feit is back in Texas but worry that many are feeling complacent instead of acting vigilantly in this case. Though prosecutors say they have new evidence, no one should rest easy or stay silent. Every single person who has any knowledge of or suspicions about Feit must come forward now if he is to be successfully kept locked up.

We’re also sad that Brownsville Bishop Daniel Flores is trying to distance himself from this horrific crime while apparently doing nothing to help solve it.

We hope that Catholic bishops in five states (TX, IA, NM, AZ, and MO) will show leadership and do outreach to any others who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Feit. We especially hope Feit’s former church colleagues and supervisors will call law enforcement and that officials at the Phoenix Catholic charity where he worked will aggressively seek out anyone among their staff and clients who may have been hurt by Feit.

For immediate release: Wednesday, March 9, 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])

Mississippi Bishop William Houck died today. He headed the Jackson diocese until 2003. We hope his passing brings some comfort and closure to those who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover ups during his years in office.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/9/former-catholic-bishop-of-jackson-william-houck-di/

For immediate release - Monday, March 7, 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])

A few weeks ago, Yakima Catholic officials said they MIGHT post names of predator priests on a church website this month. (Last week, a Pennsylvania bishop pledged to do this too.)

This move is long overdue. It’s the quickest, easiest way to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about predator priests. It’s the very least bishops should do, since they recruited, educated, ordained, hired, trained, transferred and shielded these predators for years, often helping them evade prosecution by keeping their crimes secret until the statute of limitations expired.

Over the past dozen years or so, more than 30 US bishops have released such lists. http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AtAGlance/lists.htm

In January, the Seattle Catholic archdiocese released a list of 77 child molesting clerics who worked there.

That same month, the Yakima Republic reported that Yakima church officials may do the same thing in March.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2016/01_02/2016_01_24_Jane_Herald_Names_go.htm

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 8

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])

Cambria County senior officials ignored reports of clergy sex crimes for over a dozen years allowing children to be needlessly placed at risk and we fear dozens upon dozens to be sexually assaulted. Attorney Richard Serbin first wrote county officials in 2002 about young men in six parishes who had been molested.   

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790,[email protected]

The dispute over these so-called "religious objection" laws – here and elsewhere – involves more than adults with differing beliefs. It also involves innocent young kids and wounded adult victims who suffer when claims of “religious freedom” are used to protect clerics who commit and conceal heinous child sex crimes. 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/03/08/us/ap-us-xgr-religious-objections.html

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 8, 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]

A new bishop has been picked to head the Metuchen diocese (where there are at least 13 publicly accused predator priests). We are not optimistic about his handling of child sex abuse and cover up cases.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AtAGlance/lists.htm

Msgr. James Checchio has been in Rome for at least a decade. Sadly, the mindset of most Catholic officials in Rome, when it comes to the safety of children, is distressing.

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Ted Cruz gives role to “victim hater”

He appointed clergyman to advisory board

That minister called a support group “evil-doers”

“They’re just as reprehensible as sex criminals,” TX preacher said

He heads Ft. Worth seminary and has been a national Baptist official

A presidential hopeful has named a prominent Baptist minister to an advisory board even though the clergyman once called a support group for clergy sex abuse victims “evil-doers.”

https://baptistnews.com/2016/03/02/paige-patterson-named-to-cruz-advisory-council/

Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has tapped Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, to the candidate’s Religious Liberty Advisory Council, despite Patterson’s calling the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) “just as reprehensible as sex criminals.”

For immediate release: Monday, March 7, 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])

A judge who worked with Altoona Catholic officials to hide a predator priest has resigned from the board of a Catholic school.

http://www.tribdem.com/news/judge-kiniry-resigns-from-bishop-mccort-board/article_9c23a8e2-e41b-11e5-a075-8b1316a7054b.html

For immediate release: Saturday, March 5, 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 predator priest who was exposed this week in a scathing new grand jury report worked in Tampa. For the healing of victims, we call on Tampa Bishop Robert Lynch to quickly and thoroughly spread the name of Fr. Mario P. Fabbri throughout his diocese and beg anyone who may have been hurt by him to come forward and get help.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/03/03/abuse-survivor-advocates-see-hope-in-spotlight-and-in-new-report-alleging-widespread-cover-up/

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/reports/2016_03_01_Pennsylvania_Grand_Jury_Report_on_Diocese_of_Altoona_Johnstown.pdf#page=46

Lynch should also disclose the identities of any other child molesting clerics from outside Tampa who were allowed to work in his diocese.

At 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8th, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hear testimony about proposed legislation to extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Senator Robert Young, supported by victim advocacy organizations, such as SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and Pastors, SNAPnetwork.org) is working again to relax the civil statute of limitations (SOL).

Currently, in most Maryland cases, the civil SOLs are three years after a victim turns 18. As a mother of a sexual abuse victim, I know that is not enough time for survivors to expose predators, protect kids and receive justice. The primary force lobbying AGAINST this sorely needed reform is the Catholic church hierarchy. (Wonder why?? Watch the 2016 Academy Award's Best Picture "Spotlight.")