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).
KY- Controversial cardinal to speak at event
For immediate release: Friday, March 14, 2014
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790, [email protected])
Controversial cardinal to speak at event
He's accused of covering up child sex crimes
Victims feel his visit to KY "sends the wrong message"
"It encourages future cover ups & hurts victims," they say
SNAP to Lexington diocese: “Tell your complicit prelate to stay home”
A controversial church official will address a Catholic event in Kentucky later this month and a support group for clergy sex abuse victims wants him to be disinvited.
Rome- SNAP 20 steps for Pope Francis
For immediate release: Thursday, March 13, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
What a sad irony: Today is the international Rights of the Child Day and the anniversary of a pope who has done literally nothing to safeguard even one child.
MN- Archbishop's “first job,” SNAP says: “Stop record shredding”
For immediate release: Thursday, March 13, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
Now that Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt is back on the job, he should immediately stop the destruction of church abuse records and fire – or at least publicly denounce - the staffer who recently admitted doing it or others who have done likewise.
PA- SNAP responds to accused priest's mistrial
For immediate release: Thursday, March 13, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We applaud Philly prosecutors for pledging to re-try Fr. Andrew McCormick on child sex abuse charges. We're saddened but not surprised by the mistrial, because predator priests are often shrewd and well-educated and get top notch defense lawyers, while their victims, traumatized as kids, don't often have perfect recall or make the absolute most convincing witnesses.
CA- Controversial Catholic Cardinal comes to LA; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
A controversial Catholic official who once compared media coverage of clergy sex scandals to “Stalin and Hitler” will speak today in Los Angeles at a Catholic Religious Education Congress.
GA- Karate teacher accused of abusing kids
For immediate release: Saturday, March 8, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Our hearts ache for the men who were severely and repeatedly abused as children by a south Georgian man, Craig Peeples of Pak's Karate.
PA- Victims blast Dottie Sandusky's remarks
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
We hope more rational relatives of Sandusky will persuade Mrs. Sandusky to stop making public statements that will not help her husband and will only further hurt others.
Rome- Crucial records posted on Pope's abuse record; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
The most important documents in years about the Catholic abuse and cover up crisis have just been disclosed and they are chilling. They reveal how clergy sex crimes have been dealt with in Argentina when Pope Francis was a high ranking – sometimes the highest ranking – Catholic official there.
NY- Two more groups want Cardinal uninvited
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Two more groups want Cardinal disinvited
Controversial prelate to preside at special mass
Concerned Catholics feel that "sends the wrong message"
"It encourages future cover ups & hurts victims," they say
Two more organizations are urging New York Archbishop Tim Dolan to stop his predecessor from presiding this weekend at a special mass featuring children's choirs.
MN- Accused archbishop cleared
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 11
Statement by Frank Meuers of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, [email protected])
The allegation against Archbishop John Neinstedt sounds pretty implausible from the start. Still, we believe law enforcement should take virtually every child sex abuse report seriously, especially when the accused is a cleric, and we're grateful that police apparently did investigate this thoroughly.
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