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).
SNAP challenges NYC’s top Catholic official to return donation
Baltimore's archbishop is returning $10,500 that was given to him by a now-disgraced West Virginia bishop. We call on New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan to do the same.
SNAP stands in solidarity with For Such a Time as This Rally; urges secular investigations of Southern Baptist Convention
In a joint investigative report published in February 2019, the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News identified more than 700 known victims of predatory pastors, church leaders and volunteers in the SBC. Since the story’s release, the newsrooms have heard from more than 350 others, many with additional stories of abuse and cover-ups. SNAP is confident that these documented victims are just the tip of the iceberg.
Seth Jeffs and the FLDS Reemerges in Minnesota
The brother of a notorious imprisoned cult leader who heads his own secretive sect is now re-establishing himself and his followers in northern Minnesota. We hope that neighbors and law enforcement stay vigilant and warn children and vulnerable adults about his history and new compound.
Spiritual Leader in Mexico Arrested thanks to AG Investigation in California
The head of a large, independent Mexico-based church has just been arrested in California on charges of human trafficking and child rape but remains the spiritual leader of the group. We applaud Attorney General Xavier Becerra for bringing these charges and hope other AGs across the nation will emulate his actions in this case. For the safety of children and vulnerable adults, we also call on church officials to suspend the accused while the legal process plays out.
Another Archbishop Carroll High School Employee Arrested for Abuse
With the latest news that another employee from Archbishop Carroll High School has been arrested for sexual abuse, we are concerned about the culture at the school that has allowed at least two sexually violent men to slip through their screening process. We hope that administrators will take a serious look at their background check and safety verification policies to see what has gone so drastically wrong.
Archbishop William Lori Scrubs Mention of Financial Gifts in Report to Vatican on Bishop Michael Bransfield
The fox is guarding the henhouse. Or rather, the bank accounts of the hens.
With the news that Archbishop William Lori scrubbed any mention of gifts or monetary exchanges between Bishop Michael Bransfield and some of his brother bishops from his report to the Vatican, we cannot help but feel that this is another example of bishops covering for bishops. Those feelings are compounded by the fact that Archbishop Lori himself was among the recipients of Bishop Bransfield’s lavish gifts.
SNAP Proposes Four Action Items for Bishops’ June Meeting
Next week in Baltimore, bishops from across the United States will gather and discuss the future of their Church. We hope they will also be discussing concrete ways to protect children and vulnerable adults from the lifelong harm caused by clergy sexual abuse.
SNAP Applauds Victims in West Virginia
We at SNAP applaud the brave victims for coming forward and getting Bishop Bransfield's wrongdoings exposed and stopped.
Epstein Victims Asked to Remedy Non Prosecution Agreement
Victims of a predatory billionaire are being asked their views on how to remedy an unprecedented, insensitive and reckless non-prosecution agreement (NPA), which “was concealed from the victims and their counsel and violated the law.” We applaud this move and agree with attorney Sigrid McCawley who calls this remedial effort “a watershed for victims’ rights.”
President of the USCCB Once Again Under Fire for Improper Handling of Sex Abuse Claims
The head of the US bishops is once again under fire for inaction in a case of clergy sex abuse. We call on him to resign his post or at least recuse himself from leading the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore next week.