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).
IL--Priest with Chicago-based group is accused of strangling a four month old
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda, Orthodox Christian Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A priest with a Chicago-based group was charged with strangling an infant last week. We urge his church supervisors and colleagues to aggressively help law enforcement investigate and prosecute this cleric and do everything they can to find others who may have information or suspicions about his crimes.
Australia--Victims urge Pope to suspend Pell
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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 renew our plea to Pope Francis: for the safety of kids, suspend Cardinal George Pell, pending the outcome of the police investigation into charges that he may have sexually violated as many as ten youngsters.
We are grateful that the investigation into Pell’s alleged crimes continues. We urge police to move quickly but thoroughly. It’s encouraging that law enforcement officials sent three officers to Rome to question Pell.
Over a year, more than a dozen cops and say they’ve found five or ten alleged victims of Pope Francis’ top aide. That’s pretty credible and serious. Again, for the safety of the vulnerable, the pontiff should temporarily oust Pell.
PA--Victims seek Scranton bishop’s help with ex-priest wanting parole
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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 former priest who was convicted of child sex crimes in the Scranton diocese is up for parole. We hope he’s kept in prison. We call on Scranton’s top Catholic official, Bishop Joseph Bambera, 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 he might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20080814/NEWS/308149989
VA--Minister to hold meeting about “cover up charges”
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016 For more info: Barbra Graber, SNAP Leader, 540-214-8874, [email protected]
Support group posts info about lawsuit against him
On Wednesday, he will talk about concerns with congregants
A minister who was accused and sued for covering up sexual abuse within his church is reportedly holding a meeting Wednesday with his congregants to discuss the matter. A support group plans to email members of the congregation with information about the accusations.
Rev. Samuel G. Wenger is head pastor at Freedom Fellowship, an independent church he started in Broadway VA after he was denied a vote of affirmation from his congregation at Cornerstone Church also in Broadway.
NY--Ex-Brooklyn predator priest seeks parole; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 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 former Brooklyn priest who was convicted of child sex crimes is up for parole in northeastern Pennsylvania. We hope he’s kept in prison. And we hope this news prompts others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police so he might be charged with and convicted on other offenses and be kept away from kids even longer.
http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20080814/NEWS/308149989
OR--Orthodox pastor arrested on a sex charge, victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California, Orthodox Director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A Serbian Orthodox priest was arrested last week on a sex charge and a St. Louis based victims’ group wants church officials to stop some parishioners from rallying around him.
Father Daniel James Mackay, pastor of Saint John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church in Eugene, was arrested on October 12th on suspicion of purchasing sex with a minor on more than one occasion and also of using the girl to traffic cocaine.
KS, MO, NJ--Victims want “outreach” about arrested priest
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 20, 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 priest faces charges of strangling a four year old in a Kansas City suburb. His church supervisors and colleagues must aggressively reach out to others in KS, MO and NJ who may have seen, suspected or suffered other crimes by the cleric.
WA--Victims want Bellingham principal fired
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
Statement by Mary Dispenza, volunteer Seattle director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (425-644-2468, [email protected])
Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain should fire a Bellingham principal for deceiving parents – in at least two ways - about a sex offender at a Catholic elementary school.http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article108369317.html
USA--New report says groping rarely prosecuted; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 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])
Today's New York Times reports that unwanted sexual groping is rarely addressed through criminal cases or civil lawsuits. This must change.
PA--Victims group backs ex-Penn State coach
For immediate release, October 17, 2016
Statement of David Clohessy of SNAP (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We hope ex-Penn State coach Mike McQueary wins his civil lawsuit against university officials. Those who report child sex crimes - known or suspected - should be praised, not punished.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
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