For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 13

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, jcasteix@gmail.com)

When it comes to kids’ safety, there’s no excuse for incomplete or inaccurate information, especially when the potential threat involves alleged clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

For immediate release:  Friday, Feb. 13

Statement by Peter Isely of Milwaukee, board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (414 429 7259, peterisely@yahoo.com)

Last week, Boston Cardinal O’Malley said the church needs new guidelines to discipline bishops who conceal abuse. He told journalists in Rome “When you don’t have a clear path to respond in cases of sexual abuse, people tend to improvise. And when they improvise, they make many mistakes.”   

For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 13

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A Baptist preacher who was accused of molesting kids and ran a controversial South Carolina childrens' home has passed away.

Mack Ford opened and operated childrens homes in Louisiana and in Waltersboro, SC. He allegedly assaulted girls in Louisiana.   

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 12

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

We hope the death of Mack Ford will bring some measure of closure and healing to the girls’ whose lives he devastated. Though he goes to his grave having faced no consequences for his child sex crimes, Ford’s victim can take a little comfort from knowing that he can’t assault any more children.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/02/mack_w_ford_founder_of_new_bet.html#incart_m-rpt-2  

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 12

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Now that Penn State will again get bowl revenue in the future, we really hope Paterno backers will move on and stop whining about his alleged mistreatment.

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2015/02/penn_state_big_ten_announce_un.html   

For immediate release:  Thursday, February 12, 2015

For more information: Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175 cell, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com), Cappy Larson (415-637-2006 cell, cappy@rlarson.com), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com)

Clergy sex abuse victims again beg synod to defrock archbishop

He was the Orthodox Church in America’s highest ranking cleric in Canada 

But, his appeal denied, he is now in jail for sexually assaulting a young boy 

SNAP to church officials: “No more excuses, follow your abuse policy”

Members of an abuse survivors' group are again urging Orthodox Church in America (OCA) officials to defrock a high ranking clergyman who was found guilty of molesting a child.   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Thursday, Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley speaks to prelates from across the globe about abuse. We hope that at least a few of those church officials will question O’Malley about his own track record on this crisis.

Several years ago, US Catholic officials found that in O’Malley’s archdiocese 64 out of 295 parishes refuse to teach abuse prevention to kids. O'Malley has had six years to comply with this church mandate. But he didn’t.

So the Pope’s abuse point man has been deemed in violation of the US bishops’ vague and weak national abuse policy.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2008_statements/030608_boston_rockville_center_noncompliance.htm   

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 12

Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, mcaplan682@aol.com)

A few days ago, Francis was urged to be transparent about sexual abuse. Instead, today Francis talks about bureaucratic transparency.

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/02/12/pope-francis-calls-absolute-transparency-pushes-vatican-overhaul/  

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

We’re sad that a youth minister has apparently molested another child. Now that victims are cooperating and law enforcement is taking action, it’s crucial that West Virginia Presbyterian officials work harder to find other who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Timothy Probert.

http://www.bdtonline.com/news/local_news/former-church-youth-pastor-indicted-on-charges-as-more-victims/article_c6b8e6f0-b21f-11e4-b41d-e75f71da8afe.html   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747, bblaine@SNAPnetwork.org)

We firmly oppose the notion of Congressional hearings into how the NCAAA dealt with Penn State over the Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky scandal. This request, by Pennsylvania politician Jake Corman, seems like more posturing for Penn State fans who refuse to accept the reality that a fine football coach did not call police about child sex abuse suspicions.

http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/latest-news/id=1202717631149/Corman-Releases-Discovery-Docs-in-NCAA-Suit?mcode=1395262324557&curindex=0  

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11

Statement by Frank Meuers of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, frankameuers@gmail.com)

When it comes to clergy sex crimes and cover ups, John Choi has been no ‘profile in courage.’ So we’re saddened but not surprised by news that he won’t prosecute two predator priests.

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/291558921.html   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A just “outed” predator priest who reportedly molested at least one child in Minnesota is now living in Phoenix, according to Catholic officials.

http://safe-environment.archspm.org/accountability/clergy-disclosures/james-robert-murphy/