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--Victims comment on tomorrow’s Cosby hearing
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 1, 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 hope Bill Cosby loses tomorrow in court. And we hope that more people will understand that civil lawsuits can help with criminal prosecution, no matter what happens in this particular case.
HI--Catholic Church settles 30 of 40 priest sex abuse lawsuits, Victims respond
OH--Steubenville Catholic seminarian arrested on child sex charge
For immediate release: Saturday, Jan. 30, 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 Catholic seminarian studying to be a Steubenville priest has been arrested in San Diego on child sex charges.
VT--Catholic seminarian arrested on child sex charge
For immediate release: Saturday, Jan. 30, 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 Catholic seminarian from Vermont has been arrested in San Diego on child sex charges.
FL--Florida Whistleblower is Harrassed by Church Officials
For immediate release: Monday, Jan 25, 2016
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511,[email protected]
It's heartbreaking and infuriating that Catholic officials are retaliating against a whistleblower priest who acted exactly as he should by calling police on an admitted predator.
Our hearts go out to Father John Gallagher. Shame on Bishop Gerald Barbarito.
ND--Victims blast bishops for “dangerous secrecy” re predators
For immediate release: Monday, Jan. 25, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP outreach director (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
Catholic bishops in Bismarck and Fargo are refusing to disclose names of predator priests. Shame on them. Their self-serving secrecy leaves kids in harm’s way and parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public in the dark.
http://www.inforum.com/news/3931507-lists-accused-nd-priests-still-under-wraps
GA--FACT SHEET ON HIDDEN GEORGIA PREDATOR PRIESTS
FACT SHEET ON HIDDEN GEORGIA PREDATOR PRIESTS
According to legal records, church documents and mainstream news accounts (mostly from outside Georgia) and other sources, these proven, admitted or credibly accused child molesting Catholic clerics have worked in Georgia but attracted little or no public attention in the state.
Because we want to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth, we want Georgia Catholic officials to permanently post on church websites the names of all predator priests who have worked or lived – or now work or live – in the Savannah diocese and Atlanta archdiocese. (More on this at the end of this fact sheet.)
Information (and sometimes photos) of these men are available at BishopAccountability.org
PA--Some charges dropped vs. Penn State staff; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Jan. 22, 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 encourage prosecutors to seek reconsideration of today’s ruling in the Penn State case to the full Superior Court or appeal it to the state Supreme Court. We’re grateful that some charges against Penn State officials are still pending.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charges-penn-state-administrators-thrown-36451776
NY--Prison chaplain removed for abuse allegations
For immediate release Thursday January 21, 2016
Statement by Megan Peterson, SNAP leader, [email protected], 218-684-0073
Our hearts go out to anyone who was molested by a cleric. If kids are to be safer, we as a society must welcome and support abuse reports no matter when they are made.
In our experience, often sexually troubled clerics are assigned to “special ministries” like prisons, nursing homes, and hospitals. We strongly suspect this isn’t the first allegation against this priest. We hope we’re wrong but bet we are not.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pastor-removed-after-decades-old-sex-abuse-allegations-surface/
MI--SNAP: Kalamazoo bishop makes more hurtful remarks
For immediate release: Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Lest anyone feel too positive about Archbishop John Nienstedt’s leaving Michigan, let us make a sad, simple point: It should not take outrage by parents, parishioners and the public to get a Catholic official who’s credibly accused of committing and concealing clergy sexual misdeeds and crimes out of ministry.
http://media.mlive.com/kzgazette_impact/other/Letter%20From%20Fr%20John%20Fleckenstein.pdf
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