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).
CA--Victims challenge CA lawmakers on child safety
For immediate release: Monday, March 2
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])
We’re disappointed that California’s highest court has struck down laws limiting where child sex offenders can live and we urge lawmakers to quickly adopt other measures that help protect kids from predators.
NY--Victims blast Manhattan friars for tolerating assaults
For immediate release: Monday, March 2
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])
Three women have been “repeatedly manhandled for three years by a leering, oversexed co-worker” while three Catholic priests did little or nothing to stop the assaults, according to court papers and the NY Post.
NY--Victims challenge NY lawmakers on child safety
For immediate release: Monday, March 2
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])
We’re disappointed a New York court has struck down laws limiting where child sex offenders can live and we urge lawmakers to quickly adopt other measures that help protect kids from predators.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ny-sex-offender-ruling-sparks-discussion-laws-real-29155099
PA--Victims blast Altoona-Johnstown bishop re suspended priest
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 27
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 Altoona-Johnstown priest – Fr. Robert Kelly - has been accused of child sexual abuse. It’s not “misconduct.” That’s deceptive and hurtful.
MN--Others beside cult leader should be prosecuted
For immediate release: Sunday, March 1, 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])
A fugitive serial child molesting cult leader, last seen in Washington state, has been caught in Brazil. But prosecutors should also vigorously pursue those who suspected wrongdoing at his compound but kept silent about it.
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/02/28/fugitive-minnesota-religious-leader-captured-in-brazil/
http://www.startribune.com/local/255322011.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue
Rome--Victims question church-state ties in Norway, other nations
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])
Norwegian Catholic officials are accused of exaggerating church rosters to get more money. We’re skeptical of Oslo Bishop Bernt Eidsvig’s claims that he and his colleagues “never intended to do anything illegal."
http://www.thelocal.no/20150226/norways-top-catholic
PA--New federal indictment of Philly priest on child porn
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 27
Statement by Karen Polesir, Philly SNAP leader, 267 992 9463, [email protected]
A new federal indictment says a Philly priest tried to lure a child into sex and distributed and possessed child pornography.
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-c-feds-indict-west-chester-priest-20150227-story.html
FL--Victims praise FL senator in seeking federal probe of school
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 26
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 Florida Senator Bill Nelson for seeking a Justice Department investigation into the horrors at the Dozier School for Boys. Florida citizens, especially relatives of the “White House boys,” deserve to know the full truth about the cruelty and suffering inflicted on children at that facility.
IL--Ex-Chicago priest may plead guilty in Michigan today
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 25
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 who was arrested in Chicago and was at Loyola University may plead guilty today in Detroit to “secretly recording” teenagers in a locker room there.
MI--Victims push archbishop to help with today’s abuse case
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 25
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 Detroit Jesuit priest may plead guilty today to “secretly recording” teenagers in a locker room. Sadly, he has already pled guilty to sexually assaulting a child in Colorado. The question now is: What will Detroit’s archbishop do to find and help others he may have hurt?
http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/Priest-Likely-to-Plead-Guilty-294000211.html
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