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).
Fr. Geoff Drew Indicted on 9 Counts of Rape, SNAP Responds
Less than a month after being placed on leave, a Cincinnati-area priest has been indicted on nine counts of rape. We hope that today’s charges bring comfort to his victim and encourages others who may have seen, suspected, or suffered his abuse to come forward and make a report to police and prosecutors.
Fr. Urbano Vazquez Found Guilty, SNAP Responds
A priest who had been accused of abusing at least two young girls in Washington D.C. has been found guilty. We are grateful for this verdict and again applaud the two young victims who testified in open court last week.
SNAP to NY Victims: “Now go to the police”
Children in New York are much safer now because hundreds of abusers were publicly exposed yesterday by brave victims of sexual violence, thanks to the window opened by the Child Victims Act. Now, we urge those survivors to take the next crucial step: reporting to law enforcement.
Former Albany Bishop Accused of Abuse in New York Lawsuit
A former Catholic bishop from Albany is being accused of child sexual abuse according to a newly filed New York lawsuit. We hope that this news will encourage others who saw or suspected abuse to come forward and make a report to police.
Bishop Howard Hubbard is alleged to have molested a child in the 1990s while he was working as the Bishop of Albany. According to the lawsuit, Bishop Hubbard and another priest, Fr. Paul Bondi, abused the boy while he and his family were members of St. Mary’s Parish in Ballston Spa, NY.
South Carolina Bishop Accused of Abuse in New York Lawsuit
The highest-ranking Catholic official in South Carolina is being accused of child sexual abuse according to a just-filed New York lawsuit. For the safety of children, we call on church officials in the United States and in the Vatican to act quickly and suspend this bishop from his post pending an full investigation into the allegations.
New England Bishops Institute Yet Another System to Handle Abuse Allegations Against Bishops, SNAP Responds
Church officials from the Boston Province have instituted a new “independent” system for reporting allegations against bishops. We believe that rather than institute new systems for these kind of reports, people should be encouraged to make reports directly to police and prosecutors instead.
Wyoming Law Enforcement Recommends Charges Against Two Catholic Clergymen, SNAP Responds
Following a review of accusations of child abuse, authorities in Wyoming have recommended that charges be brought against two unnamed Catholic priests. We are grateful for this development and hope that it encourages others who experienced abuse to come forward and make a report to law enforcement.
Popular Chicago Priest Accused of Abuse
A former US senator is defending an accused priest using inappropriate and hurtful language that will likely discourage all other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers from reporting suspected child sex crimes to authorities. We call on her to apologize for unintentionally intimidating survivors and to retract her comments.
List of Publicly Accused Nuns According to Bishop Accountability
The below is a list of nuns that have been publicly accused of abuse according to the watchdog site BishopAccountability.org. A copy of this list will be given out at the August 14 press conference held by SNAP leaders in Phoenix, AZ.
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