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).
Vatican--Officials OK lifting convicted predator priest's suspension; 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 bishop says that Vatican officials have approve his lifting of the suspension of a convicted predator priest. If this is true, this is an act of breath-taking recklessness and callousness.
Our heart ache for betrayed families in Minnesota and vulnerable families in India. Most of all, however, our hearts ache for one of the bravest victims we’ve ever met, Megan Peterson, whose courage helped get Fr. Joseph Jeyapaul charged, extradited, and convicted of child sex crimes in Crookston MN.
http://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-lifts-convicted-priests-suspension/75204
TX--Popular convicted predator loses appeal; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2016
Statement by Amy Smith, Dallas co-leader of SNAP (281-748-4050, [email protected])
A convicted Austin child molester who was openly supported by several churches has lost his appeal. We are grateful that he’ll stay behind bars and hope he’ll stop appealing. And we hope that the clerics and congregants who publicly rallied for him will now apologize to his victims.
http://m.statesman.com/news/news/appeals-court-affirms-greg-kelley-sex-assault-conv/nqNh7/
AZ--Victims urge response to today’s Feit developments
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 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 disappointed but not surprised that
--John Feit says he’ll fight extradition
--staff at a Phoenix charity knew Feit was a suspected murderer but kept him around vulnerable families anyway,
--Brownsville’s bishop is trying to distance himself from this horrific while apparently doing nothing to help solve it.
And we’re grateful that a Maricopa County judge sent a $750,000 bond for Feit.
http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/The-Latest-Ex-priest-to-fight-extradition-in-6821199.php
MO--Victims want Springfield bishop to do outreach in murder case
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])
An ex-priest just arrested for murder reportedly admitted his crimes to at least one colleague in Ava. We call on Springfield Catholic officials to aggressively reach out to anyone in southwest Missouri who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by this former cleric.
Vatican--New bishops are NOT told to call police about abuse, Crux reports
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
New Catholic bishops are NOT told to call law enforcement when abuse reports are made, according to a veteran Vatican reporter.
AZ--Accused murderer was regular church volunteer;” Bishop must act, SNAP says
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])
An accused murderer and ex-priest was “a regular church volunteer” in Phoenix, the Washington Post reports. In light of this revelation, it’s crucial that Bishop Thomas Olmsted break his silence, take decisive action and help prosecutors pursue Feit.
AZ--Ex-priest who worked in NM is arrested for murder; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003,[email protected])
An ex-priest who worked in New Mexico and lives in Arizona has been arrested for murdering a Texas girl. We are deeply grateful that John Feit has finally been charged. Now, Catholic officials in all three states have a moral and civic duty to prod other witnesses to step forward.
OK-- Witness is validated by ex-priest’s arrest for murder
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
An Oklahoma man is a key witness in the case of an ex-priest who has just been arrested for murdering a Texas girl 56 years ago. We are deeply grateful that John Feit has finally been charged. But we’re especially grateful for the role Dale Tacheny of Oklahoma City has played in this case.
Tacheny has told prosecutors that Feit admitted to him that he killed Irene Garza. That move – disclosing this information to law enforcement – took considerable courage because, at the time, both men were priests. It’s exceedingly rare
MA--Victims seek “action, not apology” from bishop
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
Springfield’s bishop is issuing an apology when he should be protecting kids, exposing predators, punishing enablers and releasing abuse records. Tangible steps will do more to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded that all the words, gestures and apologies.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/springfield_diocese_reaches_ou.html
AZ--Priest arrested for TX murder; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 201
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected]
A priest who has long lived in Arizona has been arrested for murdering a Texas girl. We are deeply grateful that John Feit has been apprehended
We are thrilled that Rene Guerra – who has refused to aggressively pursue a murder case involving a priest -- was defeated at the polls and that newly elected prosecutor Ricardo Rodriguez honored his pledge to re-open this troubling case.
http://www.themonitor.com/news/elections/article_d68ac28e-a42d-11e3-bc8d-001a4bcf6878.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