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).
NJ -- Victims blast Newark Catholic officials
For immediate release: Saturday, March 21
Statement by Mark Crawford, SNAP Director for New Jersey (732-632-7687, [email protected])
As they have done hundreds of times, Catholic officials have again exploited legal loopholes to evade responsibility for sexually violating teenagers. Shame on former Paramus Catholic High School staffers Artur Sopel and Michael Sumulikoski, for both sexually exploiting teenagers they were obligated to protect and using technicalities to get themselves off the hook.
MO -- Victims praise ruling vs. Chaminade in child sex case
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 25
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
We are grateful that a judge is letting a child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit proceed against the Marianists, a St. Louis-based Catholic religious order that runs three local schools (Chaminade and Vianney in the county and St. Mary’s in the city).
The case involves Brother Louis J. Meinhardt who was at Chaminade for 30 years. He was publicly exposed as a child molesting cleric for the first time in 2012 and faces at least 15 accusers.
TX--Victims’ group disappointed that Orthodox bishops are still considering controversial episcopal candidate
For immediate release: Monday, March 23, 2015
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
At their recent meeting in Syosset, New York, the bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) delayed a final decision on the election of Archimandrite Gerasim Eliel as the new bishop for the Diocese of the South (DOS).
http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-of-bishops-concludes-spring-session2
AK--Bulgarian priest defrocked
For immediate release: Monday, March 23, 2015
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia (BOD) announced on its website on Saturday, March 21st that Archpriest Paisius DeLucia would be defrocked.
http://www.bulgariandiocese.org/files/Spiritual-Court/21Mar-Decision.pdf
Canada, NY--Victims’ group outraged that synod again delays defrocking convicted archbishop
For immediate release: Monday, March 23, 2015
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
At their recent meeting in Syosset, New York, the bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) again delayed defrocking Canadian Archbishop Seraphim Storheim.
http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-of-bishops-concludes-spring-session2
GA--New abuse suit filed vs. Catholic predator
For immediate release: Friday, March 20
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
A new clergy sex abuse and cover up lawsuit has been filed against the Savannah Catholic diocese. It charges that a notorious serial predator – Fr. Wayland Brown – repeatedly assaulted a 13 year old boy in 1987-88 at St. James Catholic School in Savannah. The victim is represented by Savannah attorney Mark Tate, [email protected], 912-484-1762
Scotland--Scottish Cardinal resigns
For immediate release: Friday, March 20
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
Two full years after he admitted sexual misconduct, Cardinal Keith O’Brien has resigned. But as it has done with dozens of abusive prelates, the Vatican is disclosing nothing about O’Brien’s wrongdoing.
NY--Victims applaud Monica Lewinsky speaking up
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Monica Lewinsky is increasingly discussing the shaming of victims of sexual exploitation, according to a new, long story in the New York Times. We’re grateful to her for her courage.
CHILE- Victims blast cowardly Chilean bishop
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747, [email protected])
In a cowardly move that shows how little Pope Francis is doing to protect kids, Chile’s Catholic bishops are rallying around a complicit colleague. Shame on them for backing Bishop Juan Barros.
CHILE- SNAP praises protesters in Chile
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19, 2015
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
We in SNAP are deeply grateful for every person who is joining us in opposing Bishop Juan Barros' promotion to head the Diocese of Osorno in southern Chile - victims, witnesses, whistleblowers, politicians and Catholics. Barros faces “allegations that he helped cover up – and at times participated in – abuse against minors by his longtime mentor, a priest called Fernando Karadima.” (The Guardian)
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