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).
NY--Victim of sex abuse honored
For Immediate release Friday, May 08, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President and Founder;
312-399-4747, [email protected]
Victim of sex abuse honored
He receives prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Philadelphia man exposed infamous priest perpetrator in Chile
Now a US citizen, he heads global communications for a Global Fortune 500
Juan Carlos Cruz, a Philadelphia man who recently became a US citizen, exposed Chilean priest perpetrator, Father Fernando Karadima and is now receiving a 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor on Saturday May 9.
KY--Predator priest loses appeal; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
Now that he’s lost his appeal, convicted child molester Fr. James Schook should give it a rest, do his time, stop re-victimizing his victims and let them heal without more desperate, self-serving legal maneuvers.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Appeals-court-upholds-former-priest-s-sex-abuse-6251229.php
Rome--It’s happened again today in Rome.
For immediate release: Friday, May 8, 2015
It’s happened again today in Rome.
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])
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2015/05/08/0348/00772.html
Some Catholic commentators will no doubt herald this latest tweaking as something big. It’s not. Maybe in other realms of church life, policies like this matter. In abuse and cover up cases, they do not.
PA--Group to Sandusky: “Stop torturing your victims”
For immediate release: Thursday, May 7
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We’re saddened that Jerry Sandusky insists on torturing his victims by continued and callous ‘Hail Mary’ legal filings. He’s partially right: his trial moved quickly. We submit that’s common sense: When a dangerous predator walks free, the justice system should move quickly to get him behind bars where he can’t hurt others.
IL--Notorious Joliet predator priest dies; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, May 7
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A notorious Joliet predator priest, whose case shows continuing recklessness by Catholic bishops about kids’ safety, has passed away.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=carroll-howlin&pid=174795423&fhid=16750
KY--Louisville native abused 3 kids, prosecutors say
A prosecutor has disclosed that a now-imprisoned admitted serial child molester who is a Louisville native and worked in Louisville churches abused at least three Louisville kids.
We call on his former church supervisors and colleagues in Louisville at Southeast Christian Church to aggressively seek out others he may have assaulted. And we call on Louisville police to investigate whether any of those church supervisors or colleagues might be charged with ignoring, concealing or enabling his crimes.
Belgium--Victims urge Francis to oust Brussels archbishop
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Today, Archbishop André-Joseph Leonard of Brussels is obligated to submit his resignation to Pope Francis. We hope he does so immediately and we hope Pope Francis accepts it immediately.
MO--Accusations of cover up at North Co. Church; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A North County mega-church pastor is suing church members who say he did little or nothing to act on suspicions of child sex abuse by a now-imprisoned sex offender who worked at the church. Shame on the pastor and his top aides for lashing out at, and trying to intimidate, caring whistleblowers.
KY--Victims plead with new bishop: Warn your flock!
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Today is Lexington Bishop John Stowe’s first day in his new job. What could be more pressing than the safety of kids?
We call on him to immediately warn his flock about two local predator priests and to permanently post all child molesting clerics’ names on his diocesan website.
OR--Victims ask: Where’s Portland predator now?
Victims ask: Where’s Portland predator now?
Secret records about child molesting cleric released
More than $5 million paid to victims of Catholic friar
His church supervisors claim he was “restricted & monitored”
But news reports show that he traveled far & organized events
SNAP to archbishop: “Aggressively seek out others he may have hurt”
A victims group is urging Portland Catholic officials to disclose where a credibly accused predator priest is now living. He is in the news again because last week, his long-secret personnel file was made public.