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).
MI--Ex-Saginaw priest convicted of child sex crimes
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 18
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
A Saginaw native and ex-Greek Orthodox priest has been found guilty of sexual abuse in Maine, some 30 years after having committed similar crimes in Michigan. We’re grateful that he’s been caught but now the focus shifts to his church former colleagues and supervisors in Michigan and Maine.
http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3929bebf-www.wgme.com.shtml#.VQh0M454piE
Victims pan first years of Francis papacy
For immediate release: Friday, March 13
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, SNAPdor[email protected])
As Francis enters the third year of his papacy, to many, his most memorable quote was “Who am I to judge?”
To abuse victims, however, his most memorable quote was “the Church is the only (institution) to have been attacked” over child sex crimes and cover ups. (He said this a year ago.)
Canada, NY—In the face of pleas for Orthodox synod to ignore their sex abuse policy, victims’ group urges leaders to stand firm
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17, 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])
A group of die-hard supporters of an Orthodox archbishop convicted of child sexual abuse are urging a synod of Orthodox bishops to ignore their sex abuse policy.
http://archbishopseraphim.org/Letter%20to%20Metropolitan%20Tikhon
Canada, NY--Clergy sex abuse victims call on Orthodox synod to defrock archbishop at their spring meeting
For immediate release: Monday, March 16, 2015
Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The synod of bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will be meeting in Syosset, New York, from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, 2015.
http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-spring-session-opens-march-17
ME -- Victims urge Maine church officials to act in abuse case
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
We’re grateful that a judge has found an ex-Greek Orthodox priest guilty of sexual abuse. Now the focus shifts to his church former colleagues and supervisors.
http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3929bebf-www.wgme.com.shtml#.VQh0M454piE
These church officials have a moral and civic duty to aggressively reach out now to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by Adam Metropoulos or cover ups by his ex-colleagues or superiors.
PA -- Victims blast Penn State over frat photos
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
For years now, Penn State enthusiasts have repeatedly reassured everyone who’d listen that the university’s problematic culture about sex crimes had been “reformed.” The latest allegations – that a fraternity members posted nude pictures of women on Facebook, some of whom appeared to be sleeping or passed out – raise serious doubts about those claims.
AUSTRALIA- Survivors welcome charge against Bishop Wilson for failing to report child sex crime
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Statement by Nicky Davis, Leader, SNAP Australia, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ([email protected], 0422 538 440)
Survivors’ long wait for any senior church official in Australia to be held responsible for covering up widespread and systemic child sex crimes is finally over.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-31921828
KY -- Please help us protect kids!
WHO WE ARE
We are child sex abuse victims who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
WHY WE’RE HERE
We want to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and expose the truth about clergy who commit and conceal child sex crimes.
KY -- Louisville area nuns who are or have been accused of child sexual abuse -- SNAP FACT SHEET 3/15
We’re concerned about abuse by nuns because a disproportionately high number of accused child molesting nuns have worked and lived in Louisville. Abuse by women has gotten little attention and victims of women often get little compassion and considerable misunderstanding.
Nuns also change their names more often than priests so could more easily get access to more kids even after being publicly accused.
In very cursory Internet research, we found that the last nun on this list has been sent elsewhere and is teaching immigrants, a very vulnerable group.
MN -- Four credibly accused MN clerics identified; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, March 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Four New Ulm Catholic priests have been identified as “credibly accused” child molesters but again, church officials ask victims to call them instead of calling law enforcement FIRST. That’s irresponsible and self-serving.