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).
CA--Convicted/defrocked priest is back in LA parish; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We’re alarmed but not surprised that a convicted child molesting Catholic priest is back in a parish. We call on LA law enforcement officials to quickly but promptly investigate whether more charges can be brought against this cleric. And we call on Archbishop Jose Gomez to use church bulletins, parish websites, archdiocesan websites and pulpit announcements to warn his flock him and seek out others with information or suspicions about his crimes to call police.
http://mynewsla.com/crime/2016/11/02/child-molesting-ex-priest-shocks-flock-at-new-church/
CT--Victims blast Bridgeport Catholic “healing service”
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, [email protected])
Bridgeport Catholic officials have scheduled a “healing service” on Wednesday, Nov. 2. At worst, this is a cynical public relations move. At best, it misses the mark.
Bishop Frank Caggiano's focus should be on real reforms that actually make kids safer, not symbolic gestures that make him seem nicer or that make a few adults temporarily feel better. And events like this imply that the crisis is past when in fact it’s not.
USA--Bill Cosby’s latest “desperate, hardball maneuver;” Victims respond
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 31, 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 Bill Cosby and his lawyers for yet another desperate, hard-ball and insulting legal tactic: seeking competency hearings for his victims.
Australia--Cardinal Pell takes more criticism; Victims respond
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 31, 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])
Independent attorneys have concluded that the second or third most powerful Catholic prelate on the planet should have taken more action to safeguard kids from predators. We’re not surprised.
For decades, all across the globe, virtually every independent investigation into child sex crimes by Catholic clergy has determined that high-ranking church officials often hid, protected and enabled child molesting clerics. So too has Cardinal George Pell.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/10/31/pell-should-have-acted-priest-commission-lawyers
PA--Investigation into actor/ex-Penn State athletes re-opens; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 28, 2016
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Orange County, volunteer western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, [email protected])
We are grateful that the case against actor, director and former Penn State athlete Nate Parker is being re-examined.
WI--Predator priest is sentenced; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 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])
A Green Bay priest has been sentenced for exposing himself to a child. We applaud law enforcement for pursuing this case and the brave teenager who reported this predator. http://bit.ly/2eMR1ib
CA--Abusive rabbi gets no prison; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 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 appalled that a child molesting rabbi is will not be jailed and will instead be sent to a Jewish treatment center. At the same time, we admire and appreciate the courage of one of his ictims.
Rabbi Sholom Doyber Levitansky is getting “one year of counseling and residential treatment at Beit T’Shuvah, an addiction treatment center near Culver City, after pleading no contest to two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object of a minor,” according to a news source.
MO-- Accused rapist politician sues alleged victim; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 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])
A Missouri politician accused of rape is suing his accuser. That’s wrong and intimidating.
SNAP flier in Colorado about the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV)
Help us protect kids
Who We Are
We belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
What we want
We want to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, expose the truth and deter future cover-ups
Why we’re here
Your Catholic officials have imported and are supporting a controversial, secretive, cult-like group from Peru. Its founder is a child molester, according to his own successors. At least seven others in the group are accused of abuse, kidnapping and other crimes.
What is this group?
It's called the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV). It’s also sometimes called the Christian Life movement or SCV. The SCV runs or has run the retreat center for the archdiocese called Camp Malo and Holy Name parish in Sheridan.
Why should you believe us?
Don't take our word about it and the charges against it. Google its name, especially on a website BishopAccountability.org. You will see that a number of Catholic officials themselves have denounced the group and acknowledge its wrongdoing.
What do we want we want?
We want Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Archbishop Charles Chaput, as well as other Catholic staff in Denver and Philadelphia to publicly disclose and denounce the wrongdoing by SCV members. We want the two archbishops to publicly warn their colleagues and other churches, schools and camps about these men.
How can you help?
Ask church officials to be forthcoming about the SCV. Urge them to supervise local SCV members closely. Tell your friends and family about the group.
Have more questions?
See our website or contact David Clohessy 314-566-9790 (cell), [email protected]
NJ--Poker playing priest accused of child porn: Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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])
A Newark NJ Catholic priest faces child pornography charges. We hope he’s convicted. We call on Newark’s top Catholic official, Archbishop John Myers, to aggressively reach out to anyone who may have information or suspicions about his crimes.
And we hope this news prompts others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police so Fr. Kevin A. Gugliotta might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
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