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).
Vatican Trial Begins Eight Years After Church Officials Made Aware of Abuse Within their Walls
Eight years after church officials within the Vatican were contacted by a whistleblower regarding ongoing sexual abuse within its walls, a trial has finally begun. We applaud the brave whistleblower who stepped forward as a child and hope that this trial will expose hidden abusers and the men who enabled them.
Ohio Catholic Priest Allegedly Played “Father Figure” to Sex Abuse Victims and Enabled their Drug Addictions
A Catholic priest who was arrested by the FBI in August on sex trafficking charges allegedly played a “father figure” role to his victims and has also been accused of exploiting and enabling their drug addictions. These revelations are disturbing and our hearts ache for the victims who were abused and hurt by someone they thought they could trust.
Pope Names New Cardinals, Some Undeserving of the Honor
Among the 13 men promoted by Pope Francis to the coveted role of Cardinal is a man who once compared calls for reform in the Catholic Church to the Holocaust and another who was once held in contempt of court for failing to provide the medical records of a child abuser.
Boy Scout Bankruptcy Reveals Similarities with Catholic Church Abuse Scandal
As the Boy Scouts of America continue down the path of their landmark bankruptcy, proceedings are beginning to reveal a more complete and tragic story of sexual abuse within the organization, exposing thousands of abusers and many thousands of victims. Our hearts ache for those victims and their suffering.
Patton Priest Removed from Ministry Following Allegation of Child Abuse
A Catholic priest from a Pennsylvania diocese has been placed on leave following an allegation of “recent inappropriate conduct involving minors.” We hope this news encourages others who may have been hurt to come forward and make a report to law enforcement.
Rev. Patrick Wattigny Arrested by Police in Georgia
A Catholic priest who was removed from his parish in Louisiana earlier this month after he confessed to abusing a child in 2013 has now been arrested on child molestation charges by police in Georgia. We are grateful to law enforcement for getting this admitted-abuser off the streets and hope this arrest encourages other victims to come forward and make a report.
Michigan AG Releases Preliminary Report into Clergy Abuse
Michigan’s attorney general has provided an update on her two-years long investigation into clergy abuse, which focused on the seven Catholic dioceses in her state. The numbers are at once both startling and exactly what we expected.
SNAP Applauds AG Intervention into Child Sexual Abuse at a D.C. Preschool
The Attorney General of Washington D.C. has sued a Hebrew congregation for failing to protect children from sexual abuse. We applaud this move and are confident that this will help protect future boys and girls from the scourge of sex crimes.
Archbishop Aymond Tiptoes Towards Zero Tolerance
Archbishop Greg Aymond of the scandal-ridden Archdiocese of New Orleans has adopted a harder stance towards priests credibly accused of abuse and is asking all of them to leave ministry permanently. This message is long overdue from the archbishop and needs to be backed up by action in both the church and secular society.
Blame for “Dire Consequences” Lies at the Feet of Catholic Officials in PA
Church attorneys are warning of “dire” financial consequences for dioceses in Pennsylvania if the state supreme court upholds an earlier ruling that allowed survivors of clergy sexual abuse to file lawsuits. Responsibility for those “dire consequences” should be laid at the feet of Catholic officials who covered-up abuse for years, not the survivors who are seeking their day in court.
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