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).
VA--Just “outed” predator priest worked in VA
For immediate release: Thursday, Aug. 11, 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 accused of abusing in Virginia has been “outed” as an alleged predator in Pennsylvania this week. We call on Richmond Catholic officials and parishioners to aggressively reach out to anyone who may have been hurt by the cleric.
An investigation by the York PA Daily Record found that “(Fr.) John Bostwick III was accused in 1996 of abuse that allegedly took place from 1980-82. . . The Harrisburg diocese said it contacted the Diocese of Richmond (Va.), where Bostwick was in 1996, and he was removed from ministry.”
As best we in SNAP can tell, the allegations against Fr. Bostwick have never been publicly disclosed in Virginia and they were revealed only one other time, in 1996 in Louisiana:
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1996_04_24_Simoneaux_PriestIn_John_Bostwick_1.htm
LA--New Orleans church must do “outreach,” abuse victims say
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 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 few days ago, a Louisiana minister was been sentenced to 10 years in prison for child sex crimes. We call on his former colleagues and congregants at First Baptist Church of New Orleans to aggressively seek out others who may have information or suspicions about his crimes and beg them to call law enforcement.
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_c65e9558-5d84-11e6-ac4e-e334e00e2d9b.html
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/08/ex-first_baptist_youth_ministe_1.html
MS--Ex-Mississippi pastor sentenced for child sex crimes
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 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 Baptist minister who worked in Mississippi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a 13 year old church member in Louisiana. We call on his former colleagues to aggressively seek out others who may have information or suspicions about his crimes and beg them to call law enforcement.
http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_c65e9558-5d84-11e6-ac4e-e334e00e2d9b.html
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/08/ex-first_baptist_youth_ministe_1.html
PA--Victims blast “reckless secrecy” of Harrisburg bishop
For immediate release: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 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])
Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer and his staff are putting kids in harm’s way by continuing to hide the names and whereabouts of predator priests. Shame on them.
After decades of pledges by Catholic officials to be “open” about clergy sex abuse and cover up cases, they still being secretive. As a result, who knows how many unsuspecting families live near or individuals work with predator priests?
About 30 US dioceses post names of proven, admitted and credibly accused predator priests on their websites. Gainer, however, refuses to take this simple, inexpensive, practical step to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth. Shame on his employees who are complicit in this reckless secrecy: Joseph Aponick, Msgr. William King and other current and former church staff.
VA--Church abuse panel walks away from investigation
The process of choosing an appropriate firm was “flawed" they say
Mennonite committee apologizes to victim for excluding her
Survivors applaud this “rare public stand” by church leaders
Statement by SNAP Leader Barbra Graber, 540-214-8874, [email protected], August 8, 2016
Today, a church panel ended their involvement in an investigation into a former Mennonite university vice president accused of sexual abuse, stalking and making violent threats. We applaud their compassionate move. We hope that officials will still take the Panel’s original recommendation of GRACE as the chosen investigating group or go back to the drawing board and this time be genuinely inclusive.
GA--Clergy sex abuse victims to start new support group
For immediate release: Monday, August 8, 2016
An international self-help organization for men and women who were molested by religious leaders will hold its first confidential support group meeting in Savannah on Tuesday, August 9th.
Michael Corbett, who is the Savannah director for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), explained why he is starting a local support group.
MN--Priest in Duluth admits abuse; Bishop still pays him
For immediate release: Friday, Aug. 5, 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 living in northern Minnesota and who’s still being paid by Catholic officials has basically admitted sexually abusing kids in Guam. We urge Duluth church employees – from bookkeepers to bishops – to aggressively seek out others who may have be hurt by this child molesting cleric.
GA--Victims' group calls for ouster of USA Gymnastic officials re abuse
For immediate release: Friday, August 5
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])
Two USA Gymnastics officials should resign in the wake of a disturbing IndyStar investigation showing that they didn’t call police about reports of sexual abuse by coaches — relying on an irresponsible policy that enabled predators to abuse gymnasts long after USA Gymnastics had received warnings about their suspected crimes.
PA--Victims urge “whistleblowers” to step forward re Msgr. Lynn
For immediate release: Thursday, Aug. 4
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 trial date has been set for the only US Catholic official to ever do jail time for hiding and enabling child sex crimes. So now it’s time for church staff to stop protecting Msgr. William Lynn like Lynn protected predator priests. It’s time for every current and former church employee – from bookkeeper to bishop – who has information or suspicions about Msgr. Lynn’s complicity to overcome their fears, do their duty and call Philly prosecutors.
NC--Victims challenge bishop about accused abusive teacher
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 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 female teacher who now lives in Charlotte is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a girl. For the safety of children, we call on Charlotte Catholic officials to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about the alleged predator.
We hope this new lawsuit, filed today in Boston, will bring comfort to some, knowing that an alleged sex offender has now been “outed” and knowing that youngsters are now safer. We also hope this case will expose what her colleagues and supervisors did and didn’t do to protect kids. We hope others who have information or suspicions about her crimes will come forward now to protect others and begin healing. And again, we hope Charlotte Bishop Peter Jugis will use his vast resources to sound the alarm about this credibly accused child molester.
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