Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, October 6

Statement by SNAP leader Kate Bochte, 630 768 1860, [email protected]

Shame on Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) for issuing a statement praising a just-suspended priest, Father Marco Mercado, who engaged in “an inappropriate relationship.”http://1.usa.gov/1L2lCkl     

For immediate release: Saturday, Oct. 3

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 points a gun at an eight year old. Another priest is being investigated for taking $250,000 in money and expensive gifts from elderly parishioners. A third priest admits abusing a child. Two other church officials, he says, told him to flee the US when the boy reported the crimes.

All of this happens or comes to light in just over a month. Decades of corruption is catching up to the Newark Archdiocese.

For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 1, 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 Newark priest is being investigated for allegedly taking more than $250,000 from elderly parishioners, evidence of even more corruption that’s happening on the watch of Archbishop John Myers and Archbishop Bernard Hebda.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/priest_took_more_than_250k_from_grandmas_at_wealth.html

For immediate release: Thursday, October 1, 2015

Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, East Bay Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175 cell, [email protected])

A federal judge has ruled that the Archdiocese of San Francisco cannot dismiss accusations that it failed to prevent students at a boys’ school from sharing inappropriate photos of a teacher. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, expressed gratitude for the judge’s ruling.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick found a triable issue existed on claims the Archdiocese contributed to civil rights violations that caused a female biology teacher at Junipero Serra High School emotional distress.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/29/archdiocese-cant-duck-up-skirt-suit.htm

For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015

Statement by Frank Meuers of Plymouth MN, SNAP director Southern Minnesota (952-334-5180, [email protected])

The temporary head of the Twin Cities archdiocese is holding a meeting to talk about a permanent head of the archdiocese. In our view, the top priority is finding an archbishop who hasn’t and isn’t hiding child sex crimes. That will be tough.

http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/fall-listening-session-series-aims-to-shape-archdioceses-future/

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 29

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

“Credible allegations” of child sex abuse have surfaced against a deceased Kansas City area priest.

http://issuu.com/theleaven/docs/leaven_09-11-15

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015

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

Less than 48 hours after Pope Francis said “those who have covered up (abuse) are guilty,” the Philadelphia Inquirer has disclosed that Archbishop Charles Chaput is quietly working to keep secrets about a pedophile priest.

Francis made strong promises, including that “abuse cannot be kept secret any longer” and “all responsible will be held accountable."

Chaput apparently disagrees.

For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 28

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP president (312-399-4747, [email protected])

After 30 years of public scandal in the US over predator priests and complicit bishops, finally a Catholic official is admitting that “princes of the church” covered up heinous crimes. But he fell short of admitting something even worse: that these cover ups continue even now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/world/europe/pope-francis-sexual-abuse.html?_r=1   

For immediate release: Sunday, Sept. 27

Statement by Becky Ianni of Virginia, SNAP Virginia State leader (703-801-6044 cell, [email protected])

The AP reports that including incest victims in the papal meeting today is an effort to “redirect the discussion.”

http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/09/27/as-many-as-a-million-expected-for-popes-last-mass-in-us

We hope that’s not true. If true, that’s incredibly cynical. It’s pathetic when wrongdoers claim “someone else is even worse.” It was hurtful to victims and Catholics alike when Francis said this in 2010.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2013_04_Pope_Francis_In_My_Diocese.htm

For immediate release: Sunday, Sept. 27

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

Is a child anywhere on earth safer now that a pope, for maybe the seventh or eighth time or ninth time, has briefly chatted with abuse victims? No.

A smart public relations move. That’s what this meeting is.  Nothing more.