Media Statements

For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 23

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

In a speech today to U.S. bishops, according to ABC News, Francis “does not specifically reference the pedophilia that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church.”

He does, however, speak of some alleged “great sacrifice" made by bishops because of the abuse and cover up crisis.

What sacrifice? What bishops takes fewer vacations, drives a smaller car, does his own laundry or has been passed over for promotion because he’s shielding predators and endangering kids? None.

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2015

Statement by Amy Smith, Phone: 281-748-4050  [email protected]

A child sexual abuse lawsuit was filed this week by the parents of a now deceased victim against First Baptist Church of Rockwall, Texas and pastor Billy Bob Burge, now employed as a pastor at Grace Community Church in Greenville, Texas.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baptist-pastors-sexual-abuse-of-a-child-leads-to-victims-suicide-as-an-adult-and-lawsuit-300147406.html

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2015

Statement by Joelle Casteix, Southern California Director of SNAP,
Phone: 949-322-7434, Email: [email protected]

In a callous move that will rub  even more pain into the already-deep and still fresh wounds of tens of thousands of caring Catholics and suffering  victims, disgraced Cardinal Mahony is being allowed to be at papal events at the White House and Congress.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/09/22/controversial-la-cardinal-to-travel-with-pope-francis-for-dc-trip/

For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 21

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

Fr. Joseph Maurizio stood trial for seven days in federal court for sex tourism.  He was found guilty of five counts, including molesting children and pornography.  He was also found guilty of transferring money outside the US for sex.  Maurizio traveled a orphanage in Honduras frequently. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/09/22/Somerset-County-priest-found-guilty-of-molesting-Honduran-orphans/stories/201509220222

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 22

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

A page one New York Times story today reports a priest shortage in the Fresno Diocese.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/us/pope-francis-to-find-a-church-in-upheaval.html

That shortage is likely one reason that found guilty in a civil trial of molesting a boy but remains in a parish there.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ca_pastor_deemed_guilty_of_abuse_by_jury_gets_a_new_post_snap_responds

For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 21

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

It’s an outrage that our military and our money are backing child rape in Afghanistan. In a very real way, there’s little difference between ignoring and enabling sexual violence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/asia/us-soldiers-told-to-ignore-afghan-allies-abuse-of-boys.html?action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=MostPopularFB&version=Full&region=Marginalia&src=me&pgtype=article&_r=0

For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 21

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

On the very day that Pope Francis lands in the US, a Minnesota bishop will try to block a child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit involving a predator priest who is accused of sexually assaulting at least 26 girls.

http://www.andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/2030/In-Hearing-Tomorrow-Diocese-of-New-Ulm-Seeks-to-Dismiss-Sexual-Abuse-Lawsuit-from-Court.aspx

For immediate release: Sunday, Sept. 20

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

We believe Francis will meet soon, likely in DC, with a handful of carefully-chosen victims in a tightly-choreographed setting. And we’re convinced that it will be essentially meaningless.

It will bring short term joy to some but real healing to few and protection to no one.

Almost every survivor cares most about prevention. That’s also what helps us heal best: knowing that our pain prompts action that might spare even one child a lifetime of devastation from sexual violence.

CONTACT:   Barbara Blaine, SNAP, +1.312.399-4747, [email protected]
                  Anne Barrett Doyle, BA, +1.781.439-5208 [email protected]
                  Jen Nessel, CCR, +1.917.442.0112, [email protected]

New York, 21 September, 2015 – Today, representatives from three organizations held a press conference at the United Nations in advance of the Pope’s visit to urge the Vatican to take concrete steps to address the crisis of sexual assault and its cover-up in the Catholic Church. 

Mike Hunter has passed away. He started, and for almost a quarter century, led our SNAP support group in Kansas City. That’s a long time to devout yourself as a volunteer in a difficult cause. And he was a model leader, equally committed to all three parts of our mission: healing the wounded, protecting the vulnerable and exposing the truth.  

(NOTE-On Oct. 11, from 12-4 p.m., there will be a picnic in Mike’s honor. Details: [email protected])

Mike was there in the early 1990s

--when we first leafleted at the Cathedral downtown and a parishioner pushed a survivor down the steps,

--when we leafleted outside a parish that had just voted to bring back an accused predator priest, Fr. Thomas J. Ward,

--when Abott Durocher became the first Kansas City victim to break his gag order and expose his perpetrator (Fr.

John Tulipana) on page one of the Kansas City Star,

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1994_02_02_Stephens_PriestResigns_John_Tulipana_3.htm