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).
CT--Accused predator CT priest headed home for abused kids
For immediate release: Thursday, July 2
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 who has been suspended because of a credible child sex abuse report once headed a home for abused children. We urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police, protect others, expose wrongdoers and deter cover ups.
http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2015/07/01/news/local/892077.txt
NJ--Cosby evades prosecution on “legal technicality”
For immediate release: Thursday, July 2
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
Serial abuser Bill Cosby apparently won’t be criminally charged in New Jersey because – like hundreds of clergy and thousands of rapists – he’s successfully exploited archaic, predator-friendly statutes of limitations. We hope another accuser, Judy Huth, will have more success in her California case.
IA--New ruling may show how IA archbishop handled abuse
For immediate release: Thursday, July 2
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 court ruling will likely shed considerable light on how the long-time head of the Dubuque Catholic archdiocese handled predator priests for years.
AR--Group urges more Duggar victims to step forward
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 1
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We applaud the brave victim who may soon sue Josh Duggar for the abuse he inflicted on her as a child. The best way to deter child sex crimes and cover ups is often to take legal action against those who commit or conceal them.
PA--2nd Catholic cleric commits suicide; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 1
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Midwest Associate Midwest Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (636 433 2511, [email protected])
For the second time in less than three years, a Catholic cleric has committed suicide in a central Pennsylvania church facility run by the Third Order Regular Franciscans. We urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or other misdeeds in the Altoona area to speak up, call police, protect others and start healing.
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8632412-74/diocese-attorney-abuse#axzz3eexR0yKk
MN--Victims: Ruling means MN is in “forefront” of kids’ safety
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 30
Statement by Frank Meuers, Minnesota SNAP leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, [email protected])
Though many predator priests are now suspended from parishes, many church officials who shielded them have are now promoted. That’s why we applaud a new ruling in St. Cloud that lets a clergy sex abuse and cover up suit move forward. This decision will help police, prosecutors, parents, parishioners and the public learn about who has and who is endangering kids and protecting predators.
OR--Victims blasts Catholic officials on hidden camera
For immediate release: Monday, June 29
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 kept quiet for a month and his archbishop kept quiet for another month about a hidden camera in a church restroom. Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample and Fr. Ysrael Bien both owe parents, parishioners and the public apologies and explanations. We hope that anyone who has information or suspicions about this crime will summon the strength to call law enforcement immediately.
http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2015/06/sherwood_priest_on_leave_as_po.html
OH--Ousted abusive bishop back on the job
For immediate release: Monday, June 29, 2015
For more information: Melanie Jula Sakoda ([email protected], 925-708-6175 cell), Cappy Larson ([email protected], 415-637-2006)
Bishop retired for sexual misconduct is quietly reinstated
He now works as a “parish priest” in a Pennsylvania church
Victims say it’s an “dangerous, deceptive and callous” move
SNAP wants Orthodox Church officials to take immediate action
A support group for survivors of sexual abuse recently received a phone tip that an Orthodox bishop retired for sexual misconduct was now working as a “parish priest” in a Pennsylvania church.
CT--Justices rule in favor of abuse victims
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Connecticut’s top Catholic official has lost his bid to overturn a crucial state child safety law. Shame on him for trying.
http://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROcr/CR317/317CR64.pdf
Ex-Hartford Archbishop Henry Mansell and current Hartford Archbishop Leonard Blair asked Connecticut’s Supreme Court to gut a measure that gives victims of child molesters more time to expose and deter those who commit or conceal child sex crimes.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/ct_archbishop_blair_s_terrible_record_on_clergy_sex_crimes_and_cover_ups
IN--Victims urge Notre Dame to act on predator
For immediate release: Friday, June 26
Statement by Barbra Graber, leader of SNAP Mennonite Chapter, [email protected], 540-214-8874
Officials at Notre Dame are refusing to admit widely-documented and repeated sexual misconduct by a high profile former professor who worked on campus for two decades. We call on university staff to investigate his abuse and school cover ups and reach out to his victims.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/why-write-story-allegations-against-john-howard-yoder
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