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--Victims blast Brooklyn bishop's "healing mass"
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 8
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])
Brooklyn diocesan officials have scheduled a “healing mass” for abuse victims. At worst, this is a cynical public relations move. At best, it misses the mark. (See details below.)
Canada--Victims praise Canadian lawmakers & urge more reforms
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 8
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]
Two more Canadian provinces have reformed archaic and arbitrary laws that protect child predators. We applaud these moves and urge lawmakers to go further.
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/sex-abuse-lawsuits-ontario-nova-scotia-735695
OR--Victims blast Oregon bishop in lawsuit
For immediate release: Monday, April 6
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]
A Catholic priest has lost his wrongful dismissal case against his bishop. This outcome helps explain why Catholic officials continue to endanger kids, move predators, and conceal evidence in clergy sex abuse and cover up cases.
http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/3033912-151/state-rejects-bend-ex-priests-employment-claim
PA--Special Penn State board meeting set
For immediate release: Monday, April 6
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]
The board of Penn State will hold a litigation-related special meeting this Thursday. We hope it will be a step towards closure for those who were assaulted as kids by Jerry Sandusky and for other rape and child sex abuse victims who are hurt each time Penn State backers and officials try to publicly defend school officials accused of ignoring Sandusky’s crimes.
MN--Crookston bishop ignores two predators
For immediate release: Monday, April 6, 2015
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected], [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Verne Wagner 218-340-1277, [email protected]
Victims blast Crookston bishop
He’s hiding the name of two predators
One is a now-defrocked priest who was convicted of child porn
The other admitted sexual misdeeds & was sent to Twin Cities
But neither were mentioned when diocese released accused priests
AZ--Child sex victims blast judge
For immediate release: Monday, April 6
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
Child sex victims blast judge
Pedophile is accused of abusing two girls
One is his own daughter; They’re 7 & 8 years old
This week, he will question both of them in court
Group deplores the move & urges judge to “reconsider”
TX--Baptist Home abuse case moves ahead
For immediate release: Friday, April 3
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]
We are grateful that the Waxahachie Police Department was making a grand jury referral for aggravated sexual abuse of a child and injury to a child in a case involving the Texas Baptist Home for Children. We hope others who may have seen, suspected or suffered abuse or cover ups by Home officials will call police and prosecutors immediately.
PA--Paterno statue at Penn State destroyed?
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 1
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]
The Joe Paterno statute at Penn State has been destroyed, according to the OnwardState blog. They cite four sources for the claim. It could be an April Fool’s prank but doesn’t seem to be.
If this is true, we applaud this move and wish university officials would have disclosed this fact sooner. Controversy over the monument only re-victimizes already wounded and still suffering child sex abuse victims.
Rome--SNAP to Chilean priests & lawmaker: “Keep fighting”
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 1
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
The controversial promotion of a new Chilean bishop isn’t “the same old, same old.” It’s worse. So we call on the dozens of Chilean priests and the 50 Chilean lawmakers who opposed this move to keep on fighting. And we call on Pope Francis to explain his hurtful decision.
Brazil--Abuse victims blast Brazilian Catholic group
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 1
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]
A controversial and archconservative Catholic group says it will grow in Brazil. We hope it doesn’t. And we urge citizens and Catholics to steer clear of this secretive and problematic group.
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