For immediate release: Saturday, December 27

Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, melanie.sakoda@gmail.com)

A former Orthodox subdeacon was recently sentenced to prison on one count of “Child Sexually Abusive Commercial Activity.” We are very grateful that Robert Aaron Mitchell will be kept away from children, at least for a while, and applaud all who contributed to this result.

https://cmspublic.3rdcc.org/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=2403849   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014

For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com

Checks arrive for abuse victims

Dozens settled with KC diocese

In rare move, they share nearly $10 million almost equally

And they include three whose cases were rejected by court

“It’s completely unprecedented,” says support group head

Dozens of Kansas City men and women who were sexually assaulted as children by priests have received their settlement checks, just in time for Christmas. And it what’s being called “an unprecedented act of generosity,” they are essentially sharing millions equally and including in the settlement three other victims whose cases were tossed out on legal technicalities.   

For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 22

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 are deeply disappointed that Pope Francis has promoted Cardinal Bernard Law’s former mouthpiece. For years, time and time again, then Fr. Christopher Coyne repeated deceptive public relations spin about heinous child sex crimes and callous cover ups by Law and other Catholic officials.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2014/12/22/coyne-new-bishop-vermont-roman-catholic-diocese/20751505/    

For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 19 2014

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)

No child sex charges are going to be filed against Fr. Michael W. O’Connell, who is still on the job today in a parish despite allegations by two men that he sexually abused them as children. We’re disappointed in this decision and urge Archbishop Blase Cupich to honor his pledges to keep kids safe by suspending O’Connell.

For immediate release Thursday, December 18 2014

Statement by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director 414.429.7259

It’s the season for giving and no one has found a way, as the saying goes, to make sure “to give back to yourself first” than the lawyers of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who filed today a proposed $10 million settlement with insurers (one of them aptly named “Stonewall”) in the longest and most victim bashing bankruptcy in church history.  Of the $10 million, lawyers made sure half of that amount will go to themselves, with total legal and court fees now topping over $18 million and no end in sight.  I suppose we can safely conclude that after almost four years where justice for victims has not been pursued much in court, we can always have confidence the billable hours will be.    

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 18

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

We are grateful that a Louisville predator priest won’t get shock probation. Keeping him behind bars is the best way to protect kids.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/27663885/judge-denies-shock-probation-for-priest-sentenced-to-15-years-for-molesting-teen   

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 18

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)

Seven clerics with a Cincinnati-based Catholic group are accused of sexually abusing children in New Mexico, according to new court documents and the Gallup Independent newspaper. (Full article is below.) We call on the head of the group, Fr. Page Polk (pagepolk@franciscan.org, frankjasper@franciscan.org), to fully disclose their long-secret records about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 17

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)

There’s never been a shortage of good people willing to advise Catholic officials on abuse. There’s been – and remains – a shortage of Catholic officials who practice celibacy and are thus able to defrock clerics who hide crimes, help predators and hurt kids. So whether yet another church abuse panel adds yet more members won’t change this.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/12/17/pope_names_new_members_of_child_protection_commission/1115094   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 17

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 second staff member at a Portland Catholic school is accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct with a student. We beg Archbishop Alexander Sample to break his silence and discipline Central Catholic school officials for their reckless actions.

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23694-personnel-foul.html

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Another-Central-Catholic-HIgh-School-football-coach-was-investigated-by-police-286053521.html   

For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 17,

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

There seems to be no prosecutor or police official on Francis’ abuse study panel. In other words, while several disciplines are represented, there’s apparently no one on the panel who’s really accustomed to imposing discipline. And that’s what continues to be missing throughout this crisis – real discipline for church employees who endanger children.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/12/17/pope_names_new_members_of_child_protection_commission/1115094

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/world/europe/pope-names-members-of-anti-abuse-group.html  

At least 17 predator priests worked in AZ; SNAP responds

For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 16

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)

According to disclosures today by a Catholic bishop, at least 17 credibly accused predator priests worked and lived in at least 26 Arizona towns (Chinle, Winslow, Holbrook, Page, Prescott, St. Johns, Concho, Kingman, Clarksdale, Ash Fork, Flagstaff, Seligman, Yarnell, Springerville, Lukachukai, Ft. Defiance, Tuba City, St. Michaels, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Humboldt, Mayer, Leupp, Show Low, Cibecue and McNary).

http://www.kvoa.com/news/diocese-releases-credibly-accused-list-of-clergy/

 

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 11

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

The New Mexico Medical Board are mischaracterizing and minimizing the alleged misdeeds of Dr. Christopher S. Driskill. It describes him as reportedly having “sexual relationships” with patients. That’s wrong. He’s accused of sexually exploited patients. This isn’t hair-splitting. It’s an important distinction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/us/in-new-mexico-deliverer-of-a-towns-children-faces-salacious-accusations.html?ref=us