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).
OH--Victims want pastor disciplined for helping sex offender
For immediate release: Thursday, June 4
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Church staff help sex offender
Victims denounce their letters
Bishop should reprimand pastor, group says
SNAP: “He should visit parish & educate his flock”
At least ten staff, volunteers or members of a Cleveland Catholic church wrote a judge seeking a shorter prison term for a convicted child sex offender who brandished a gun at a police officer. A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Cleveland’s top Catholic official to visit the parish and discipline the pastor.
NY--Prosecutor seeks info on rabbi
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 3
Statement by Mary Caplan of Manhattan, national board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917-439-4187, [email protected])
We’re grateful that Bronx prosecutors are using their bully pulpit to beg possible victims of a rabbi to come forward. At the same time, we’re disappointed in synagogue officials who are selfishly acting timid and callous.
KY--Louisville archbishop should help in child porn case
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 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 teacher and coach at a Louisville Catholic school is accused of possessing child pornography. We challenge Archbishop Joseph Kurtz to aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered this man’s crimes and help law enforcement more effectively prosecute him.
http://www.lex18.com/story/29225717/louisville-high-school-teacher-faces-federal-child-porn-charges
ND--Predator priest from ND passes away
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 2, 2015
For more information:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
Predator priest from ND passes away
Victims urge Catholic bishops to “do outreach”
“Others may be suffering in shame and silence,” SNAP says
Attorney believes he may have assaulted at least 100 children
A credibly accused child molesting Catholic priest from North Dakota has passed away and a support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging two bishops to “aggressively reach out” to others he may have hurt.
Last week, Catholic officials at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville Minnesota announced that Fr. Richard Eckroth has died.
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/30/st-johns-abbey-priest-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse-dies/
AUSTRALIA - Cardinal Pell threatens to sue brave survivor and outspoken advocate
For immediate release Monday, June 1, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
We should be grateful, at some level, that the planet’s second most powerful Catholic prelate is threatening legal action against victim of two predator priests.
IL- A letter to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan
SNAP believes the indictment of ex-House speaker Dennis Hastert can be “a watershed moment” for those molested by teachers, coaches and Scout leaders and “a real chance to prod hundreds who are trapped in hopelessness and depression to get help, prevent abuse and expose wrongdoers.”
SNAP held a press event on Monday, June 1 2015 In front of the Illinois Attorney General’s office calling on three institutions to create dedicated hotlines for adults who were abused in any school, Scouting or athletic program to report the crimes, regardless of when they happened, and to provide information and resources to help those victims.
The following letter has been mailed and hand delivered to the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan:
MO-- KC Catholic official lies about lawsuit, SNAP says
For immediate release: Sunday, May 31
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The Kansas City Archdiocese’s school superintendent claims she hasn’t read a copy of a lawsuit against her that was filed at least two weeks ago. We think she’s lying.
http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article22711563.html
IL- SNAP urges five steps in Dennis Hastert controversy
For immediate release Saturday May 30, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
We’re here today to plead with a number of individuals and institutions to take action about Dennis Hastert.
But first, we want to say THANK YOU to the brave victims of Hastert who are cooperating with law enforcement. In child sex cases, when victims, witnesses and whistleblowers stay silent – everyone suffers, except of course those who commit or conceal these heinous crimes. But when victims, witnesses and whistleblowers speak up, call police, help prosecutors, file lawsuits and expose wrongdoers, wrongdoing is prevented and kids are spared.
IN--Group warns: Praising Hastert may silence other victims
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by Joelle Casteix of SNAP (949 322 7434, [email protected])
I was abused in high school by a popular teacher, Thomas Hodgman (who teaches now at Adrian College in Michigan).
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2005_05_20_Erb_AdrianCollege.htm
IL--Group urges outreach to other Hastert victims
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Let's not sugar-coat what former House speaker Dennis Hastert did. If it involves a student, it was sexual abuse. It wasn't "a relationship." It wasn't "misconduct." It was a hurtful and illegal abuse of power by an influential, popular teacher over a vulnerable youngster.