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).
PA--No Bail for Philly cleric
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 4
Statement by Karen Polesir, Philly SNAP leader, 267 992 9463, [email protected]
Under no circumstances, we believe, should Father Mark Haynes be set free, no matter what restrictions the court may impose. Like most predator priests, he is well educated, well spoken, charming, and cunning. He should be given no more chances to intimidate victims, threaten whistleblowers, discredit witnesses, fabricate alibis, destroy evidence or even flee the country.
TX--Bishop accused of illegal taping of victim’s mom
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 4
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 startling new clergy sex abuse and cover up lawsuit charges that Ft. Worth Catholic Bishop Michael F. Olsen:
-- illegally tape recorded a child sex abuse victim’s mom without her knowledge,
-- also tape recorded a “trusting” and deeply wounded victim too,
-- “betrayed,” “re-victimized” and “tried to silence” him until his statute of limitations expired,
MT--Victims blast Helena Catholic officials re bankruptcy
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 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])
These more than 500 brave victims and their dedicated attorneys have done the very best with an awful situation brought on by the Catholic hierarchy’s immense clout, expensive lawyering and obsessive secrecy. We hope the new settlement brings them sorely-needed healing.
http://www.ktvq.com/story/28242171/judge-set-to-approve-settlements-in-montana-church-abuse-cases
NJ--Victims beg more victims of predator/exorcist to speak up
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 3
Statement by Mark Crawford, SNAP Director for New Jersey (732-632-7687, [email protected])
We’re grateful that an already-convicted North Bergen pastor/exorcist now faces new charges.
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/03/north_bergen_sex_offender_pastor_exorcist_facing_m.html
MI--Victims back new child safety proposal
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 3
Statement by Bill McAlary of Grand Rapids, Michigan Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (616-514-0654, [email protected])
A new bill has been introduced into the Michigan legislature that will protect more kids from child molesters by reforming the state’s archaic, arbitrary and predator-friendly statute of limitations. We wholeheartedly endorse this long-overdue measure that will make families safer from predators.
CA -- Promotion of San Francisco Bishop raises concern
Statement by Tim Lennon of San Francisco, Bay Area Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (415-312-5820, [email protected])
For the safety of kids and the healing of victims, we hope that journalists and Catholics in San Diego ask incoming Bishop Robert McElroy specific questions about his actions and inactions in recent San Francisco predator priest situations.
We’re disturbed by his track record on clergy sex abuse and cover up cases.
CA -- Victims blast SF Catholic officials re Archbishop Riordan charges
For immediate release: Tuesday March 3, 2015
Statement by Tim Lennon of San Francisco, Bay Area Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (415-312-5820, [email protected])
We’re alarmed and saddened by allegations that a Catholic principal is acting inappropriately and that San Francisco Catholic officials refuse to talk about these serious accusations. And we applaud the teachers who have spoken up and are speaking up.
UT--Victims praise Utah lawmakers on statute of limitations
For immediate release: Monday, March 2
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 applaud Utah legislators who have passed a bill that will protect more kids from child molesters by reforming the state’s archaic, arbitrary and predator-friendly statute of limitations. We wholeheartedly endorse this long-overdue measure that will make families safer from predators. And we hope the Utah senate passes it quickly.
NC--Victims blast Duke U over rape allegations vs. basketball player
For immediate release: Monday, March 2
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])
An independent investigation must be launched into allegations that Duke University officials kept silent about rape allegations against basketball player Rasheed Sulaimon.
NM--Victims blast Gallup bishop over “continuing secrecy”
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 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])
A priest who was accused of abuse and financial misdeeds claims the small mission he left has millions of dollars and Gallup’s Catholic officials continues to stonewall the press, the public and his parishioners about the controversy.
Bishop James Wall must stop the secrecy and disclose immediately what he knows about the suspected crimes and misdeeds of the Rev. Ravi Kiran. Kiran, originally from India, worked at St. Anthony’s Mission.
Fr. Kevin Finnegan, the chancellor for the diocese, assured parishioners the diocese was investigating Kiran’s abrupt departure and promised them answers, That was six months ago.
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