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--Notorious Belleville predator priest dies
For immediate release: Monday, June 27
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])
Local Catholic officials have kept hidden the passing of Robert Vonnahmen, one of the area's most notorious pedophile priests. He died in a nursing home in Highland, Illinois on, or near, May 9 and his Catholic funeral was apparently held on May 12 in Elizabethtown, Illinois where he was buried.
MO--Church & non-profit must act now on child sex charges
For immediate release: Thursday, July 13
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 Kansas City area pastor who is also a homeless shelter staffer faces child sex charges. It’s now the duty of both institutions – church and shelter – to aggressively seek out others with information or suspicions about his crimes, so that law enforcement can successfully prosecute the pastor.
http://www.republic-online.com/news/local_news/article_3ae72fbd-716b-5707-ba6a-f18379d61f3b.html
NH--Victims want minister fired from NH private school
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 13, 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 minister should be immediately fired and others should be harshly disciplined at a New Hampshire private school where sexual violence has been hidden and law enforcement has been ignored.
AL--Catholic official arrested for child porn; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 13, 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])
An Alabama Catholic official has been charged with child pornography. Now, Birmingham diocesan staff, including the bishop himself, must aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by
John Lindbergh Ellard Martin of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
CA--L.A. coach – an ex-Penn State staffer – should speak up now, victims say
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 12, 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])
Four ex-Penn State coaches, including one now in Los Angeles, have been implicated in newly-released records concerning Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno.
We call on these former PSU staffers to publicly address allegations and suggestions that they knew about or suspected child sex crimes by Sandusky but did little or nothing to stop them or report them to police.
PA--Victims beg Paterno family to “face facts & end denial”
For immediate release: Tuesday, July 12, 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])
Damage to the Paterno family name is becoming increasingly self-inflicted as relatives of the controversial coach continue to deny evidence that he was told long about Jerry Sandusky’s child sex crimes. It’s a sad and hurtful sight.
NC--Accused church child molester was also in Charlotte
For immediate release: Monday, July 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 South Carolina native who spent time in Charlotte and was a teacher and church elder is now accused of molesting a child. We urge his former Jehovah’s Witness colleagues and supervisors – in SC, NC and California (where he now faces criminal charges) to aggressively seek out any current or former church members who may have also been hurt by this predator.
http://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/crime/article88025877.html
CA--Disgraced archbishop attends Napa conference this weekend; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 8, 2016
Statement by Tim Lennon of San Francisco, Bay Area Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (415-312-5820, [email protected])
We have just learned that a disgraced archbishop, who resigned amid numerous allegations that he committed and concealed clergy sexual misconduct, will be leading two services at a conference at the Meritage Hotel in the Napa Valley this weekend.
We urge conference organizers to disinvite the controversial prelate and attendees to withdraw from the event unless that happens immediately. It’s especially important that Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa take action, since the conference is in his diocese. http://napa-institute.org/conference/conference-schedule-and-brochure/
NJ--Delbarton whistleblower trial approaches; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, July 6, 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 strongly suspect that the former Delbarton coach is telling the truth when he says that school officials retaliated against him for reporting suspected sex crimes and sexual misconduct by Fr. Luke Travers. Time and time again, Catholic priests and bishops have tried to punish those who speak up about abuse reports and rumors.
http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2016/07/ex-coach_suing_delbarton_and_ex-headmaster.html
RI toughens mandatory reporting law; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 8, 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 applaud the brave and compassionate Rhode Island abuse victims and children’s advocates who have won reforms in the state’s mandatory reporting law. We hope state lawmakers will now take a crucial next step and relax or repeal Rhode Island’s archaic, predator-friendly statute of limitations, the single biggest obstacle that prevents child sex abuse victims from protecting kids and exposing cover ups.
http://ripr.org/post/governor-signs-bill-closing-st-georges-loophole
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