MN--Predator priest returned to MN
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 19
Statement by Verne Wagner, Northern Minnesota SNAP Director (218-340-1277, [email protected])
Now that Fr. Joseph Jeyapaul is back in Minnesota to face criminal charges, much remains to be done.
Each person who has even a tiny bit of information or suspicion about him must “fish or cut bait.” They must become mature, responsible adults, get over their fears, open their mouths and contact law enforcement, so that justice can be done and so that children can be protected.
First, each man, woman or teen who worked at or attended Blessed Sacrament parish in Greenbush and St. Bernard’s parish in Thief River Falls must speak up. Those are two of the parishes where Fr. Jeyapaul worked.
Next, each Crookston diocesan employee – current or former – must speak up. At least a few of them very likely heard rumors or got reports of Fr. Jeyapaul’s wrongdoing. And they’re now telling themselves “The justice system is working. No need for me to stick my neck out now.”
Finally, anyone who was hurt by Fr. Jeyapaul must find the strength to speak up. If kids are to be safe, we must dig deep, find courage, go beyond our “comfort zones” and lend a hand to police and prosecutors so that this dangerous man can be convicted and imprisoned.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 25 years and have more than 18,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Frank Meuers (952-334-5180, [email protected])
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