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--Toledo priest suspended; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, May 22
Statement by Claudia Vercellotti, SNAPtoledo@aol.com, 419 345 9291
For more than two weeks, Toledo Catholic officials kept silent about an allegation of misconduct involving a child. Even now, they refuse to give any details that might be helpful to parents, parishioners, police, prosecutors or the public. Shame on them.
TX--Church disciplines wrongdoer’s wife
For immediate release: Friday, May 22
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidg[email protected])
We are deeply skeptical of claims by officials at a Dallas church that they have “without exception” reported suspicions and knowledge of child sex crimes to law enforcement.” If they did, we doubt they did so promptly and fully. And we are deeply grateful to the brave woman who is exposing possible child sex crimes at the church.
AUSTRALIA- Victims to Pope: demand Cardinal returns to Australia to testify
For immediate release: Friday, May 22, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, founder and president of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
We urge Pope Francis to demand that Australia’s highest ranking Catholic official, Cardinal George Pell, return to his home country to face questions from the Royal Commission investigating sex crimes and cover up. The Cardinal has been implicated in the cover up.
OR--Victims urge ministers to shun church over abuse case
For immediate release: Friday, May 22
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We urge Portland’s religious leaders to shun officials at a local church and we urge local law enforcement to charge those church officials with obstructing justice, evidence tampering, witness intimidation or other offenses because of how they dealt with a predatory pastor.
Australia--Pope must force Pell to testify
Friday 22 May, 2015
Media Statement by Nicky Davis, Leader, SNAP Australia (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
0422 538 440
Pope Francis moved Cardinal George Pell to Rome from Australia. Now, the pontiff must force Pell to testify before a governmental panel.
Serious allegations against Pell have repeatedly been raised - both through sworn testimony and through media interviews.
MI-- Abusive Catholic teacher pleads guilty
For immediate release: Thursday, May 21
Statement by SNAP leader Bill McAlary (616-514-0654, [email protected])
We’re grateful that a child molesting Catholic school teacher has pled guilty to more crimes and we hope she’ll get a very stiff sentence that keeps her away from kids for a long time.
WA--New Spokane bishop takes office
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected], [email protected])
Today, Spokane Catholics get a new bishop. We’re worried about how he’ll deal with clergy sex abuse cases.
Thomas Anthony Daly has spent time in the San Francisco archdiocese (26 publicly accused predator priests) and the San Jose diocese (12 publicly accused predator priests). He was promoted to head a seminary by the highly controversial and secretive Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.
UK--Victims group responds to alarming abuse stats
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Though the figures are alarming, we are deeply grateful that the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has disclosed that more than 1,400 prominent men are accused child sex abuse. Even more, we are deeply grateful to the hundreds of brave, wounded men, women and teenagers who have found the strength to break their silence and report their abuse. Their courage is making kids safer.
FL--Another FL predator priest is exposed
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Yet another victim of clergy sex crimes charges that Miami Catholic officials quietly put a pedophile priest back on the job among unsuspecting families, according to a new lawsuit.
MN--SNAP blasts new archdiocesan PR man
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 20
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Archbishop John Nienstedt’s new PR man may be worse than his old one. Tom Halden is choosing to “spin” for both complicit officials AND for predator priests too.
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