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).
Bahamas--Secret records about 3 ex-Bahamas abusive cleric are released
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Hundreds of pages of long-secret records about three child molesting Catholic priest who spent years in the Bahamas have been released. Church officials should tell parents, parishioners and the public about them.
Fr. Richard Eckroth, Fr. Thomas Gillespie and Fr. Finian McDonald worked at Saint Augustine’s in Nassau the Bahamas. They’re all “credibly accused” of abuse, according to their church supervisors, and have been or are being sued for abuse.
McDonald admitted abusing 200 children and traveled frequently to Bahamas until 2002.
MN--$5 million spent on archdiocesan bankruptcy
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
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 deeply saddened – but not surprised - by the news that $5 million has been spent on the St. Paul archdiocesan bankruptcy. It’s tragic how much bishops will spend to keep their abuse cover ups covered up.
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/12/03/archdiocese-bankruptcy
NH--He’s left the Catholic church but is now Unitarian minister
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2915
Ousted predator priest is cleric in another denomination
Victims want church officials to warn the public about him
He’s left the Catholic church but is now Unitarian minister
A New Hampshire priest who was ousted because of credible allegations of child sex abuse has apparently been a minister for years at a rural New Hampshire Unitarian church.
Fr. Mark Fleming now heads South Parish Unitarian in Charlestown, NH (603 826 3418)
MO--Mizzou should rescind Bill Cosby honor, victims say
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Mizzou officials should revoke Bill Cosby’s honorary degree and apologize for not doing so sooner. We applaud the faculty who are pushing for this simple but crucial move.
http://fox4kc.com/2015/12/02/university-of-missouri-faculty-suggest-revoking-cosby-degree/
MI--Group praises lawsuit vs. abusive Catholic tutor
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
Statement by SNAP leader Bill McAlary (616-514-0654, [email protected])
A young man who was sexually abused as a youngster by a tutor is filing a civil lawsuit against Catholic officials. We applaud his courage and are glad that he’s taking steps to expose those who ignored or concealed these heinous crimes. We’re especially grateful because too often, child sex crimes by women against boys and girls are minimized.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/12/teen_sex_assault_victim_files.html
AZ--Secret records about ex-AZ abusive cleric are released
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 27, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
More than 600 pages of long-secret records about a child molesting Catholic priest who spent years in Arizona have been released. Arizona church officials should tell parents, parishioners and the public about him.
He’s Father Bruce Wollmering. Twice, he was a graduate student (1969-70, 1975-78) at the University of Arizona in Tucson. In 1976, he had an internship at U of A hospital and family clinic in Benson, AZ. In 1985-1986, he was granted “academic leave” from U of A.
IL--Springfield priest wins big promotion; Victims react
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 23, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Springfield IL priest is being promoted to head (“rector”) perhaps the world’s most prominent Catholic seminary. We’re disappointed by this move, especially because he comes from a diocese riddled with many clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
WI--Two more Milwaukee predator priests are exposed
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Peter Isely 414 429 7250, [email protected]
Two Milwaukee predators are exposed
Both admitted molesting kids in other states
Neither have ever been “outed” in Wisconsin before
One, an ex-seminarian, now faces pending criminal charges
SNAP: “Catholic officials should spread the word about them”
Two admitted child molesting Catholic clerics who spent time in Milwaukee are being publicly exposed as predators by a victims’ group. It’s urging local Catholic officials to help prosecutors convict one of them.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are warning the public about Kevin Sloniker, an ex-seminarian who was arrested weeks ago in Menomonie for sexually abusing children and Fr. Eric Middlecamp who Catholic officials acknowledge molested kids and worked in Milwaukee.
CT--Cleric won’t “ever be a priest again?” We doubt it.
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A prosecutor claims she’s been told that a Hartford priest will ‘never be a priest again.’ We doubt that’s true.
CO--Denver predator priest sued for child sex crimes
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A new lawsuit has been filed against a predator priest who lives in Denver. Colorado Catholic officials should warn parents, police, parishioners, prosecutors and the public about him.