Media Statements

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has announced that they will release the names of "credibly" accused priests in their diocese. While SNAP is grateful that yet another diocese will be releasing the names of those they have found to be "credibly accused," we believe that this should have been done years ago. We also hope that the list will include those who have had allegations of abusing vulnerable adults, such as former head of the Diocese, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield.

According to a recent poll, 89% of Rhode Islanders believe that their attorney general should open an investigation into clergy sex abuse. SNAP believes that whichever candidate for the RI attorney general race wins, they should listen to their constituents and open an investigation following their election.

A newly-released, independent report into sexual abuse in Bay Area dioceses is calling into question the veracity of the numbers previously released by California bishops themselves.

In 2010, a Vatican priest considered to be the 'papal preacher' made international headlines when he likened accusations of abuse and cover up against Catholic officials to “a collective violence suffered by the Jews.”  

For immediate release: October 24, 2018

Virginia’s top law enforcement official has announced that he is opening an investigation into clergy sex abuse and cover-ups in Virginia.

We are thrilled to hear that the Virginia Attorney General’s office has launched a statewide criminal investigation regarding sexual abuse by priests. We know that institutions cannot police themselves, so fully independent investigations like these are the best way to get to the truth when it comes to clergy sex abuse and cover-ups. We applaud A.G. Mark Herring for this move.

Following yesterday’s launch of a hotline and website by the U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., the District’s top law enforcement official announced today that he is opening an investigation into sex abuse by clergy.

The Diocese of San Jose today released a statement regarding the news that one of the men on their list of “credibly accused” clergy was in jail on new charges.

For immediate release, October 22 2018

Today, the U.S. Attorney’s office for Washington D.C. has announced that they are opening an hotline and email address that survivors of clergy sex abuse and those that have knowledge of abuse can use to report their experiences.

For immediate release, October 22 2018

Last week, an Australian Parliament struck down an archaic legal defense that presented a major barrier to survivors seeking accountability and justice.

The New South Wales Parliament formally abolished the “Ellis Defence,” a legal stance that allowed the catholic church to hide behind an archaic and arcane designation of “non-entity.” In practice, this meant that survivors could not formally sue Catholic dioceses in court, regardless of the legitimacy of the claims, helping to ensure that cover-ups stayed covered-up and that accountability would be out of reach.

For immediate release, October 19 2018

Today the University of Southern California announced it has reached a settlement with the nearly 500 former patients of a campus doctor who had accused him of serial sexual abuse.