Media Statements

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 1, 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 glad that a child sex reform bill is moving forward but Michigan lawmakers can and should do much more that extend the state’s archaic, arbitrary and predator-friendly statute of limitations.

http://www.themorningsun.com/government-and-politics/20161130/bill-to-nix-statute-of-limitations-from-child-sex-abuse-cases-okd-by-senate-panel

For immediate release, December 1, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP (314 566 9790, [email protected])

We’re thrilled that jurors sided with ex-Penn State coach Mike McQueary who reported child sex crimes by Jerry Sandusky. We suspect that many across the US who’ve kept silent about suspected sexual violence are now sweating a bit. We hope that many of them will realize “better late than never,” bite the bullet, and call 911 in the days ahead to share what they know or suspect about likely crimes so kids will be safer.

http://www.businessinsider.com/r-award-for-penn-state-whistleblower-in-sandusky-scandal-rises-to-12-million-2016-11

For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 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]) 

Shame on both the person who allegedly torched a Tampa area home and on Matthew Smith who reportedly often “posts memes mocking sex assault accusations” against Donald Trump, Bill Cosby and convicted Stanford rapist Brock Turner.

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/11/florida-veteran-seeks-donations-after-home-set-on-fire-and-tagged-with-anti-trump-slogans/

For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 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])

Today, the former head of the Pittsburgh Catholic diocese has written another page in his long, shrewd and depressingly semi-successful campaign to pose as a “reformer” on the church abuse and cover up crisis with his self-serving apology to a brave abuse survivor.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/11/30/Cardinal-Wuerl-apologizes-to-Pittsburgh-victim-of-abuse-by-priest/stories/201611220160

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016

Victims group applauds conviction of predator priest

For 30 years, cleric headed a camp for children in Kentucky

SNAP: “We suspect there are other witnesses, whistleblowers & victims”

Staying “trapped in silence” helps no one, victims say, & “endangers kids,” group stresses

Others who “saw, suspected or suffered abuse” should “come forward” with info, victims plead

A Louisville priest who was accused of molesting two children and spent 30 years running a camp for kids has been found guilty in his first trial.  He still awaits a second trial by a second alleged victim after the judge ruled to split the cases, even though both men say they were abused at the same camp. A support group for victims is praising those who helped prosecute the priest and begging others who “may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes or church cover ups” to come forward.

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016

We are sad but not surprised that Dennis Hastert is trying to get even richer. We hope he fails in his latest legal maneuver. http://www.fox5ny.com/news/220261923-story

http://www.wjbdradio.com/local-news/2016/11/28/imprisoned-dennis-hastert-fights-for-tax-covered-pension

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 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 sad but not surprised that Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger refuses to meet with two women who say they were abused by Catholic employees. More and more, bishops are acting like they acted before the church’s abuse and cover up crisis erupted in 2002 – as untouchable potentates, rather than as caring shepherds.

http://news10.com/2016/11/28/women-claiming-to-be-sexually-abused-holding-hunger-strike-against-albany-diocese/

http://cbs6albany.com/news/local/women-who-claim-to-have-been-victims-of-sex-abuse-by-catholic-priests-begin-hunger-strike

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 28, 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 Bishop Gregory Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee has been promoted to head Florida's second-largest market as the fifth bishop of St Petersburg. We disapprove of his handling of a 2013 predator priest case and see no signs that might indicate that he be any better than his predecessor in dealing with the church’s continuing child sex abuse and cover up crisis.

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 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])

Pope Francis is not re-appointing two controversial, highly visible prelates to a global church panel. We’re glad this is happening even though we likely disagree with the pontiff for the reasons.

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-confirms-removal-burke-pell-worship-congregation

We are members of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are working hard to heal from trauma, and we want to reach others who have been similarly victimized but remain trapped in secrecy, silence and shame. A first step in healing is to ensure that the cycle of violence stops with us. We don't want to see anyone suffer as we have.