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).
Seven times since 2015 where members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have covered up abuse, showed reckless disregard for victims, or refused to follow their own reforms.
2016 Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Grand Jury Report
According the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General “a statewide investigating grand jury has determined that hundreds of children were sexually abused over a period of at least 40 years by priests or religious leaders assigned to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.”
The two-year investigation included a search warrant of the Altoona Bishop’s “secret archive.”
The report also determined Bishop Joseph Adamec was at the forefront of the cover-up and acted to avoid scandal rather than protect children.
Granddaughter who alleged rape cover-up is awarded $2 million in Trinity Broadcasting Network lawsuit, victims respond
For immediate release, June 6, 2016
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Leader, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
When Carra Crouch came forward to her grandmother to say that she had been sexually abused, she needed help. Her grandmother Jan Crouch had a choice: she could report the abuse and protect her granddaughter, or she could see this child’s story as a threat to the institution, her multi-million-dollar religious empire, and her role as an iconic tele-evangelist. Jan Crouch decided to protect the institution and cause her granddaughter years of suffering to keep her quiet.
IL and NY—Suspension of Orthodox bishop retired for sexual misconduct lifted, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, volunteer member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A former Orthodox bishop from Chicago, who voluntarily retired in April of 2013 after he was found to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a young woman parishioner, had his suspension lifted effective March 1, 2017.
https://oca.org/PDF/NEWS/2017/2017-0601-STAT5978-may2017.pdf
AZ--Crosiers Fathers and Brothers seek bankruptcy protection, Victims respond
For immediate release
Statement by Tim Lennon of Tucson, AZ, SNAP Volunteer Arizona Leader and board member, (415) 312-5820, [email protected]
When dioceses and religious orders seek protection in federal bankruptcy courts, they do so to protect their assets and embarrassing secrets from public sex abuse and cover-up civil trials.
he Crosiers’ decision today is no different. Church leaders in Phoenix and Minnesota must use every means at their disposal to publicize this bankruptcy and allow victims of sexual abuse plenty of time to learn about the bankruptcy’s deadlines. We urge them to be open and transparent about the process and make public all evidence of child sexual abuse in their files.
TX --- Wichita Falls man arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a 14 year-old girl
For immediate release: Thursday, May 31
Statement by Barb Dorris, Managing Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 [email protected])
A Wichita Falls man was arrested and charged with indecency with a child following a call to the Wichita Falls Police. We are grateful that law enforcement is investigating. But we fear there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. We want survivors to know it is safe to come forward and report to police. We encourage all victims to report to law enforcement, not church officials.
MA--Musician accused of sexual harassment to give workshop at Tanglewood; victims respond
For immediate release, May 15, 2017
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, volunteer member of the Board of Directors of SNAP, the Survivors Network (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A Boston University music professor who faces a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed two college students will be giving a workshop for students aged 14-20 at Tanglewood in western Massachusetts.
http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2016/04/read_the_complaint_filed_by_mu.html
NM--Clergy sex victims blast the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s new secrecy move
For immediate release: Thursday, April 27
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Managing Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network (314 503 0003, [email protected] )
Santa Fe’s Catholic archbishop is doing the "same old, same old," - fighting in court to keep clergy sex crimes and cover ups covered up.
TX-- Former youth pastor arrested for abuse
For immediate release: Thursday, April 27
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected] )
A former youth pastor has been arrested for alleged child sex crimes. The question now is: what will his congregants do? Will they actively help police and prosecutors? Or will they sit passively back and force the brave victim to carry the burden of pursuing a predator alone?
CA--Parish honoring admitted child molester
Parish honoring admitted child molester
He was sued for abuse last year, however
San Gabriel Parish still calls him priest, gives him award
May 25 event will also honor actor Edward James Olmos, others
Victims to Archdioceses: Act now to stop dangerous callous behavior
Victims of child sex abuse wrote a letter today to the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and Chicago and a Chicago-based religious order to express their outrage that a banned priest and admitted child molester is being honored by a local Los Angeles-area parish.
That man, Bruce Wellems, has been banned from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, removed from the priesthood in both Los Angeles and Chicago, and has also been taken out of ministry by the Claretians, a religious order—all for allegations of sexual abuse.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-priest-past-abuse-met-20160102-story.html
MT--Diocese files for bankruptcy ahead of trial, Victims respond
For immediate release, April 1, 2017
Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Leader, (949) 322-7434, [email protected]
The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings is just the latest to hide behind bankruptcy protection to avoid potentially embarrassing and expensive child sex abuse and cover-up civil trials.
These filings are seldom about money. Instead, church officials filed for federal protection on the eve of a July trial to ensure that victims and the general public never know the true extent of sex abuse and cover-up throughout eastern Montana.
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