SNAP Media Events

Mounting evidence points to pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims across Leo’s ecclesiastical career

CHICAGO, IL – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 1 E. Wacker Dr. (the Izard Room) in Downtown Chicago, to present new evidence concerning Pope Leo XIV and his alleged involvement in the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse cases during his previous roles in the Catholic Church.

Next pope likely to have covered up sex crimes: New whistleblower docs show liberal and conservative candidates involved in abuse cover-ups

Global survivors will unveil a 100-day roadmap for the next pope to solve the clergy abuse crisis on Thursday

ROME, ITALY — As the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), ConclaveWatch.org, and survivor leaders from across the globe are sounding the alarm: the next pope is almost certain to have covered up clergy abuse. He will also appoint others with similar records to key Vatican positions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2025

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Wednesday, April 30 at 11:00am to announce new information gathered as part of SNAP’s new Conclave Watch initiative including updates to previously filed Vos Estis Lux Mundi reports as well information gathered on other potential papal candidates and cardinal electors.

“Since we started the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors around the world have reached out to us with information about Catholic cardinals. We’ve heard from victims and advocates from Fiji, Tonga, Belgium, France, South Africa, Malawi, France, Italy, Canada, and all over the United States. Abuse survivors do not want to see another conclave that elects a pope who has shielded and covered up for clergy offenders,” said Sarah Pearson, a SNAP spokesperson.  

(Rome, Italy) - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00am to release a letter from clergy abuse survivors to Pope Francis. The letter conveys survivors’ urgent appeals to the pope in light of his declining health and the looming transition in church leadership.

At the same time, SNAP will announce the first results of its new Conclave Watch initiative—a global vetting process examining the records of potential papal candidates on clergy sexual abuse and their commitment to zero tolerance. As part of the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors will present several complaints made under the pope’s Vos estis lux mundi decree against prominent cardinals in positions of oversight and leadership of the church’s management of clergy sexual abuse.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00am to release a letter from clergy abuse survivors to be delivered this weekend to Pope Francis. The letter conveys survivors’ urgent appeals to the pope in light of his declining health and the looming transition in church leadership.

Victims blast Peoria bishop on abuse

In new video, man who sued speaks up for first time

His predator priest still lives in IL but diocese won’t say where

Advocate challenges Tylka to “help put abusive cleric behind bars”

SNAP: “Offering prayers won’t cut it. Bishop must act to safeguard kids”

Roughly 50 Peoria area priests are now publicly accused child molesters

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will try to hand deliver a letter to Peoria’s Catholic bishop

--blasting him for ‘reckless inaction’ in response to a lawsuit last week against a still-living but defrocked predator priest,

--urging him to protect kids by ‘personally visiting each place the abuser worked and beg victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to call the police,’ and

--challenging local church employees - ‘no matter what the bishop does or doesn’t do’ - to ‘aggressively warn parents and the public about this predator.’

Also, in an impassioned new video, the victim who sued the cleric last week will discuss his shame, suicidal feelings, hopefulness and explain why he’s coming forward and taking action now.

WHEN
Monday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Peoria Catholic Diocese headquarters (a.k.a chancery office or Spalding Center), 492 NE. Madison Ave. in Peoria

WHO

Two-four clergy sex abuse victims including a Missouri man (also abused as a child by a priest) who is the former national director of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

Victims charge Houma Catholic church is ‘reckless’ on abuse

Group says diocese ‘is still hiding at least 4 local perpetrators’

Other dioceses post their names & say the allegations are ‘credible’

SNAP: “But Houma officials refuse, leaving kids at risk & victims wounded”

Support group also alerts child victims to an unusual new legal opportunity

New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue

‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ survivors say

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will

--write on a sidewalk the names of four publicly accused clerics who are or were in the Houma-Thibodaux diocese but are largely ‘under the radar’ and are still being hidden by local church officials, and

---urge anyone “with information or suspicions about known or possible abusers” to call police, not church staff, contact SNAP and “protect others and start healing.”

They will also urge Catholics to join with them in spreading awareness of an “unusual and ground-breaking child safety law” that “enables virtually any child sex abuse victim to sue, no matter how long ago the crime happened, so that the truth will be known about every bishop, priest, brother, nun, seminarian, or layperson who hurt kids.”

WHEN

Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11:15 a.m.

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. Francis, 500 Goode St. in Houma (985-876-6904)

WHO

Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director

Abuse victims blast Baton Rouge bishop

He’s hiding at least three ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests

Other church officials say allegations against the men are ‘credible’

SNAP: “If church officials are hiding them, what else might they be hiding?”

Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity

New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue

‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say

WHAT

Using sidewalk chalk, while holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will write on a sidewalk the names of three publicly accused child molesting clerics who are NOT on the Baton Rouge Catholic bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list and thus remain largely ‘under the radar.’

They will also urge 

---Catholics and others to “spread the word” about an unusual new Louisiana law that will make kids safer by enabling victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue those who committed or concealed the crimes - no matter how long ago they were violated, and

---those with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible perpetrators to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP.

WHEN

Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 2 PM

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside St. Joseph Cathedral, 401 Main Street (corner of 4^th) in Baton Rouge

WHO

Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director