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).
IA--Victims urge IA Catholic officials to act in murder case
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An ex-priest who was just charged with raping and murdering a beauty queen spent time in Dubuque, we have learned. We fear he may have hurt a woman in Iowa too.
We urge Iowa Catholic officials, especially Dubuque Archbishop Michael Jackels, to aggressively beg victims, witnesses and whistlebowers to come forward to law enforcement so the full truth about this heinous crime can be uncovered.
Last week, John Feit was arrested in Phoenix for killing a 25 year old parishioner in McAllen, Texas in 1960. Two years later, he pled “no contest” to assaulting another young woman.
HI--Prolific “missing” ex-NV abusive cleric “found” in Hawaii; Victims respond
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 14, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An abusive Catholic cleric – who worked in Nevada, may have molested 50 kids and whose whereabouts were deemed “unknown” by church officials - has turned up in Hawaii. Though his church supervisors knew of his crimes as far back as the 1960s, they let keep teaching for years.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-seattle-serial-molester-20160212-story.html
He’s Brother Edward C. “Chris” Courtney. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he taught at parochial schools and churches in MI, NY, IL and WA. In the 1980s, he also taught in public schools in Reno.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/952352-129/the-final-final-trial-of-edward
NC--Church officials praised in sex case
For immediate release: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home,[email protected])
We are grateful that the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina is admitting that a rector has been accused of sexual abuse while working at a Waynesville church for 12 years.
CA--Proposed initiative to reform and eliminate Civil & Criminal Statutes of Limitations
PRESS RELEASE SENT STATEWIDE 2-11-16
- - - - - - - -
2016 CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURE
Elimination of Civil & Criminal Statutes of Limitations pertaining to sex crimes against children.
San Francisco, California – William Lynch (Proponent) announces granting of Title and Summary by the California Attorney General and the beginning of the qualification process for a 2016 California ballot measure. http://www.StopChildSexAbuse.org
William Lynch was sexually assaulted when he was 7 years old. Like a textbook case of child sex abuse, Will told no one. When the truth came out 20 years later, Will was informed that the criminal statute of limitations had expired when he was 13 and the priest could not be prosecuted.
LA--Victims blast bishop over predator priest
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Shame on Alexandria’s bishop for urging victims of a predator priest to call him instead of calling police. Child sex abuse is a crime. It should be reported to the independent, unbiased professionals in law enforcement, not to the biased, self-serving Catholic officials who, even now, work to keep a tight lid on clergy sex scandals.
Bishop Ronald Herzog knows this. Still, he insists – as Catholic officials have done for decades – on trying to handle this horror internally. Again, he should be ashamed of himself.
IA--Lawmaker tries to reform “archaic” abuse law; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Iowa lawmakers are trying to reform child safety laws. We applaud this effort.
http://www.kcci.com/news/new-bill-could-have-big-affect-on-child-sexual-abuse-cases/37947008
ID--Abuse victim sues Mennonites; Support group responds
For immediate release, February 12, 2016
Statement by Barbra Graber, Leader of the Anabaptist Mennonite Chapter of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (540-214-8874, [email protected])
Our hearts go out to Clayton Peaster and his family, and anyone else who may have been hurt by any Mennonite predator. We applaud Mr. Peaster for his courage and we hope his seeking justice will protect others and bring healing.
http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_e787a28c-d158-11e5-a2d8-0bc424f32436.html
MI & HI--Prolific “missing” ex-Detroit abusive cleric “found” in Hawaii; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An abusive Catholic cleric – who is suspected of molesting more than 50 kids and whose whereabouts were deemed “unknown” by church officials - has turned up in Hawaii. Though his church supervisors knew of his crimes as far back as the 1960s, they let keep teaching in Michigan and four other states
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-seattle-serial-molester-20160212-story.html
MN--Church officials must act re convicted predator priest, victims say
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Statement by Verne Wagner of Duluth, Northeast MN SNAP director (218- 340-1277, [email protected])
Dozens of northern Minnesota Catholic church staff members have a chance to protect kids in from a proven predator priest. And since Vatican officials are knowingly putting these kids in harm’s way, Duluth area church employees and parishioners must take action to safeguard the vulnerable.
Church bureaucrats in Rome have told a bishop that he can lift the suspension of convicted cleric who molested at least two Crookston area girls.
http://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-lifts-convicted-priests-suspension/75204
MD--Ex-Baltimore priest accused of abuse; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A priest who worked in Baltimore for a decade is accused of molesting a girl. We urge Baltimore Catholic employees to aggressively seek out any one else he may have hurt and beg them to call police.
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