For immediate release: Wednesday, July 27

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis MO, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Police have sent to prosecutors their investigation into the second most powerful Catholic official on earth. Eight brave individuals – most of them alleged child sex abuse victims - have given sworn statements. Three are courageously disclosing their names and giving credible interviews to a credible, mainstream news source in a new 30 minute program.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2016/s4508646.htm

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 27

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

The impending freedom of Msgr. William Lynn – only the second US Catholic official to be convicted of essentially enabling child sex crimes – will no doubt feel like yet another blow to hundreds of wounded Philly area abuse victims and thousands of betrayed Philly area Catholics.

http://www.phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-supreme-court-declines-reinstate-msgr-lynns-conviction-again/

Needless to say, it’s more important than ever that people with knowledge or suspicions about complicity by Lynn or other church officials call secular authorities.

And needless to say, no matter how uphill it might seem, we hope prosecutors seek a new trial. Vigorously pursuing those who act recklessly, callously and deceitfully with kids’ safety is one sure way to make kids safer and more recklessness, callousness and deceit is deterred.

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)

A Ft. Worth Catholic volunteer is being investigated on three child sex abuse reports. Ft. Worth’s bishop must go to that church this weekend and aggressively prod anyone with information or suspicions to call police.

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Statement by Mark Crawford, NJ State Director, SNAP    732-632-7687

The head of New Jersey’s largest Catholic jurisdiction, Newark Archbishop John Myers, is 75, the age at which prelates submit their resignations to Rome. We hope Pope Francis replaces him quickly.

In the days ahead, Myers should take five steps to better protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/retirement_looms_for_newark_archbishop_john_j_myer.html

For immediate release: Thursday, July 21, 2016

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)

A pastor is accused of sexually abusing a girl for two years. Now, his current and former church colleagues and members must aggressively reach out to others who may have information or suspicions about his alleged crimes or possible church cover ups.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article90671007.html

For immediate release: Thursday, July 21, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Two years ago, the pope’s top US aide ordered two bishops to destroy evidence and blocked an investigation into clergy sex crimes, misdeeds and cover ups, according to a newly-released memo written by an “insider” priest and chancery office insider. Pope Francis must now discipline this wrongdoer. All four clerics - the nuncio who issued the order, the two bishops and the “whistleblower” priest (Fr. Daniel Griffith) – all kept silent, for two years, about this inappropriate and perhaps illegal move.

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20 

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Local Catholic officials have kept hidden the passing of Robert J. Vonnahmen, one of Southern Illinois' most notorious pedophile priests. For decades, he  

--ran a camp in Johnson County that attracted thousands of kids from across the Midwest,

--headed a Madison County-based tour and travel agency,

--worked in several southern Illinois parishes, and

--lived in Hardin County in what the Belleville News Democrat called “a sprawling, 2,600 square foot, $350,000 Mediterranean-style villa high above the Ohio River.”

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Newly released records on an archbishop who rose through Catholic church ranks in Michigan – and worked in a Michigan parish months ago – detail his allegedly “promiscuous” sexual activity “as a priest and bishop in Detroit.”

 http://www.fox9.com/news/177109505-story

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)

A Bellingham pastor is accused of sexually abusing a girl for two years. Now, his current and former church colleagues and members must aggressively reach out to others who may have information or suspicions about his alleged crimes or possible church cover ups.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article90671007.html

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

We remain convinced that John Choi could and should have filed criminal charges against individual complicit Catholic officials, not Catholic institution, especially had he acted sooner and more aggressively. We’re disappointed that well-educated, self-serving church bureaucrats have again spent parishioners’ donations on high-priced lawyers and are successfully evading consequences for repeatedly and callously putting children in harms’ way so they could protect their clerical careers and reputations.  

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 20

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)

A girl and her family are suing a Catholic priest and his church supervisors, charging that Fr. Stephen Tarleton Dougherty repeatedly abused her for six years, starting when she was seven, from 2005-2011. We applaud her for her courage and hope her bravery will inspire others who are suffering to come forward.

http://www.caller.com/news/local/lawsuit-diocese-of-corpus-christi-religious-order-failed-to-protect-victim-38047191-2aab-4dac-e053-0-387536321.html

Trial set for twice-accused predator priest

Victims group begs others to “come forward” with info

For 30 years, cleric headed a camp for children in Kentucky

SNAP: “We suspect there are other witnesses, whistleblowers & victims”

Staying “trapped in silence” helps no one, victims say, & “endangers kids”

A November 28 trial date has been set for a Louisville priest who is accused of molesting two children and spent 30 years running a camp for kids.