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).
NY--Victims blast Syracuse bishop over suspended priest
For immediate Release, December 8, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790cell, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
In an act of stunning callousness, Syracuse Bishop Robert Cunningham let an accused child molesting cleric “spin” an abuse allegation from the pulpit. Shame on him.
Last month, Fr. Paul F. Angelicchio, pastor of St. John the Baptist and Transfiguration parish, read a statement to parishioners saying he would be taking a leave of absence. Yesterday, however, Cunningham’s public relations staff disclosed that Fr. Angelicchio has been accused of molesting a child and has been suspended.
Vatican--Discipline reckless seminary heads, don't beg them, SNAP says
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, SNAP Associate Midwest Director (+1 636-433-2511 home, [email protected])
In a new document, the Vatican says bishops should be careful about accepting seminarians who've been rejected by other bishops, seminaries and dioceses. We’re glad for the new language. But given the tremendous and persistent priest shortage, we doubt a sentence or two in some new “guidelines” will make any difference at all.
http://catholiccourier.com/news/world-nation/vatican-updates-guidelines-for-educating-priests/
There is, however, a more effective approach. It’s called discipline.
CA--Accused priest quietly moves to San Diego; Victims cry “foul”
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 6, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell,[email protected])
Accused priest quietly moves to SD
After “counseling,” he sexually harassed a 22 year old
He allegedly “coerced” her & later fired her from her job
A civil lawsuit against him and his Michigan bishop is pending
Group urges SD Catholic officials to “warn parishioners & the public about him”
A priest who was found to have sexually harassed a college student and who faces a pending civil abuse lawsuit has quietly moved to San Diego where he works for a lawyer. A victims group want bishops in California and Michigan to warn parishioners and the public about him.
Vatican re-affirms gay priest ban; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
Vatican officials are re-affirming their so-called ban on gay priests.
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/vatican-reaffirms-ban-gay-priests
Scapegoating some adults protects no children. Behavior, not orientation, is what matters.
Half of our 20,000 plus members are women who were sexually assaulted as kids by priests, nuns, bishops and seminarians. It’s just wrong to assume or claim that most victims of child molesting clerics are boys.
CA--Victims praise new Stanford abuse lawsuit
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
Sexual violence is too common and too devastating to be left solely to the criminal justice system. That’s why we applaud the brave Stanford woman who is now suing the university for allegedly acting with 'deliberate indifference' to reports of sexual assault.
WI--Minister arrested on child sex charges; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
A Hale’s Corner minister has been arrested on child sex charges. We are glad that he’s been caught but we’re disappointed in how his supervisors and colleagues are responding. We call on them to work aggressively to help law enforcement prosecute the offender and find - and help – any other victims.
http://www.dcourier.com/news/2016/nov/26/pastor-charged-multiple-counts-child-molestation/
Vatican--Victims question “resources” offered by papal abuse commission
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
Among other “resources,” the new Vatican abuse website “provides links to statements by Popes John Paul II, Benedict and Francis over the past 15 years on the subject.”
Really?
Vatican--Victims “depressed” by papal abuse panel website
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
The new website of the papal abuse panel is depressingly disingenuous.
Poland--Victims blast Polish authorities re Roman Polanski
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are disappointed that once again Roman Polanski is escaping justice.
http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/4679028-155/polands-top-court-upholds-refusal-to
Argentina--Convicted abuser attacked in church; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, [email protected])
We are upset that a convicted child molester was beaten to death in an Argentine church. Violence is never the answer.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/851181/pedophile-killed-in-attack-by-parents-inside-cathedral
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