Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 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’re disappointed in the Vatican’s choice for Arlington’s new bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, North Carolina (who replaces Bishop Paul S. Loverde). Burbidge has shown no leadership whatsoever in the church’s continuing child sex abuse and cover up crisis.

http://www.cathstan.org/Content/News/News/Article/Pope-names-successors-to-retiring-Alaska-archbishop-Arlington-bishop/2/2/7312

For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 3, 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 Minnesota priest who was first accused of molesting kids has finally, decades later, been defrocked by Vatican officials. He began abusing youngsters within months of being ordained, continues to deny any wrongdoing and continues to live in the Twin Cities.

http://www.archspm.org/archspm_news/statement-regarding-joseph-wajdas-dismissal-clerical-state/

Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP, 314 566 9790

In an unprecedented victory, a victim of a convicted child molesting cleric has forced Catholic officials to promise in writing to keep him out of ministry.

She has also won an agreement that the predator "not have access to youth" and have his "faculties" - permission to act as a priest - "suspended or revoked." For five years, the priest’s bishop must also "provide yearly status updates" of the priest's "location and ministerial status" (and for six years, provide "semi-annually status updates") unless or until the priest is defrocked.

We applaud this incredibly brave, compassionate and persistent victim, Megan Peterson, for taking extraordinary steps to protect kids from Fr. Joseph Jeyapaul, formerly of Crookston Minnesota and now of the Ootacamund diocese in India, where he was ordained.

For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 23, 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])

Some Dallas churches are patting themselves on the back for a purported child abuse prevention program in which they’re involved. Such self-congratulations is self-serving and dangerous.

http://www.wfaa.com/mb/news/local/collin-county/collin-co-program-aims-at-fighting-child-abuse-in-churches/324072902

For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 16, 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])

Corrupt and callous Kansas City cops must be fired and prosecuted for putting suffering children through even more suffering by ignoring or concealing known or suspected crimes.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/documents-reveal-%E2%80%98gross-negligence%E2%80%99-in-kc-child-sex-and-abuse-cases/ar-BBwcxAR

For immediate release: Friday, September 16, 2016

For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected]

A convicted murderer who says his crime stemmed, in part, from being sexually abused as a boy by priests is filing a civil lawsuit charging that two clerics assaulted him.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/15/prison-inmate-sues-catholic-bishop-over-abuse/

For immediate release: Wednesday, September 14, 2016

For more information, contact David Clohessy of St. Louis, Executive Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])

Abuse victim discloses settlement with Sioux City Diocese

He's glad church officials have been responsive to his pain

But he’s still pushing for more openness in the Church

Survivor also vows to continue “to find and help others in pain”

Twenty years after he first reported his childhood sexual abuse to Sioux City Catholic officials, a San Francisco man has received a settlement for the injuries he suffered at the hands of a now deceased priest.

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 1, 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])

Penn State’s decision to honor Joe Paterno is stunningly callous. It shows that the joy of alums matters more than the pain of victims.

We will likely never know, really, how much or how little Paterno knew or suspected, if anything, about Sandusky’s horrific crimes. Had he lived, Paterno might have been completely exonerated. Or, conceivably, he might have been convicted and jailed.

But based on decades of research, here’s what we DO know: One four women on campus were sexually violated as youngsters. One in eight men on campus were too. These stats hold true nationwide.

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home,[email protected] 

Our hearts ache for the dozens and dozens of girls and boys who were assaulted at St. George’s school for decades and for the dozens and dozens of adults who were deceived and betrayed and re-victimized by secretive, self-serving school staff who chose to put their careers and reputations above the safety of kids, the healing of victims and the prevention of crimes.

We hope this report prods Rhode Island lawmakers to reform the state’s archaic child safety laws, especially the arbitrary, unfair and predator-friendly statute of limitations.

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 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])

Pope Francis has promoted Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana who, just three years ago, claimed that there were few child molesting clerics in Africa because they didn’t tolerate gay people there.

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/12/meet-the-man-who-could-be-the-first-black-pope/