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).
NJ School District Cannot Fire Former Priest Who Impregnated Young Girl
For immediate Release: April 29, 2019
We are absolutely appalled that an ex-clergyman who got a teen pregnant must be given back his job at a middle school. We call on state and Church officials to do all they can to stop this dangerous move.
West Virginia Diocese Fights Case on Technicalities, not Merits
West Virginia Catholic officials are doing what Catholic officials have done for decades: claiming they cannot be sued for clergy sex crimes and cover ups. In a twist, this time the action was not filed by a victim, but rather the state’s top law enforcement officer.
Admitted Abusive Priest with ties to Chicago arrested in East Timor
For immediate Release: April 29, 2019
A priest from a Chicago-based Catholic group has been arrested for molesting little girls in East Timor, one of the poorest countries on earth. We hope Catholic officials in Chicago will mount an aggressive outreach drive so that he might also be charged here.
Another Survivor Comes Forward in the Diocese of Fresno; SNAP Responds
For immediate Release: April 29, 2019
A second man has now accused Msgr. Craig Harrison of child sexual abuse. He reportedly told the Merced Police Department on Friday that the monsignor inappropriately touched him in 1988 when he was a boy. The priest had been suspended from ministry earlier in the week pending an investigation into similar allegations from another man.
Former NH Priest Named in New York List of Abusers, SNAP Urges Outreach
A former New Hampshire priest has been named a credibly accused child molester by Catholic officials.
SNAP Extremely Troubled By Reporting Delay In The Diocese Of Fresno
Msgr. Craig Harrison is the second priest from the Diocese of Fresno in as many months to be suspended from ministry while allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor are investigated.
Where is The Vatican's Preliminary Report into Theodore McCarrick?
Last October, Pope Francis called for a "thorough study" into Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and how he was able to advance up the church hierarchy despite the allegations of serial abuse that had been made against him.
Archdiocese of New York Posts List of Clergy Accused of Abuse, SNAP Responds
We are grateful that the Archdiocese of New York is finally taking the step of list accused priests publicly, belated though it may be. While it's likely this list was only released in response to growing public pressure, we hope that the publicizing of this information will lead to more informed communities and will encourage survivors who may be suffering in silence to come forward and make a report to police and the attorney general.
Bishop Donald Hying Promoted to Lead Diocese of Madison, WI
The Diocese of Madison, WI will soon have a new bishop in place. We hope Bishop Donald J. Hying will take up Pope Francis’ charge from February to wage an “all-out battle” against clergy abuse.
Fr. Robert DeLand Sentenced, SNAP Responds
SNAP is grateful that Fr. Robert DeLand has been sentenced to jail. We applaud this outcome and are thankful to the police and prosecutors who helped his victims find justice.
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