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--Abusive seminarian is sentenced; Victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP associate Midwest director (636 422 2511, [email protected])
A former Catholic seminarian who tried to arrange to sexually abuse babies was just sentenced but the crux and cause of his crimes has basically been ignored - a secretive, self-serving clerical culture that gives troubled clerics repeated chances to hurt kids.
http://www.cbs8.com/story/32354733/sentencing-for-man-who-tried-to-buy-toddler-in-tijuana
Ghana--Victims want Vatican to discipline Ghana bishop
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Orange County, SNAP volunteer western regional director, 949 322 7434, [email protected]
Vatican officials should discipline a retired bishop in Ghana.
USA--Nearly 30 colleges still honor Bill Cosby
For immediate release: Friday, July 1, 2016
For more info; David Clohessy, 314 566 9790 [email protected], Barbara Dorris, 314-503-0003[email protected]
Nearly 30 colleges still honor Bill Cosby
They’re in 16 states from ME to CA to GA
Victims beg universities to rescind actor’s degrees
SNAP: “Ignoring his crimes rubs salt into deep wounds”
Group also says degrees “send chilling message to others in pain
A support group for abuse victims is calling on 28 US colleges, from coast to coast, to rescind honors they’ve given to Bill Cosby to ‘help reduce the helplessness and hopelessness felt by millions of victims of sexual violence” and “make it easier for those in pain to come forward, report criminals and deter crime.
FL--Jury acquits thrice-accused teacher; Abuse victims respond
For immediate release: Friday, July 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])
Our hearts ache for the girl who was sexually abused by a Coral Springs teacher who has evaded justice. It must be devastating for her and her family to sit through a criminal trial and watch the criminal get off thanks to shrewd lawyering, even though he initially confessed to the crimes and faces two other accusers.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-coral-springs-molestation-closings-20160630-story.html
RI--Abuse allegations vs. 95 year old priest are “credible;” Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, June 30, 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])
Rhode Island Catholic officials now admit that child sex abuse reports against a priest are “credible.” Bishop Thomas Tobin should honor his pledge to be “open” about clergy sex crimes.
http://dioceseofprovidence.org/news/statement-from-the-diocese-of-providence
IL--Chicago predator priest dies; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, July 30, 2016
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests(312-399-4747, [email protected])
Local Catholic officials have kept hidden the passing of Fr. Robert Stepek, a predator priest who sued his victims and who died last week. Shame on Archbishop Blasé Cupich for his hurtful secrecy.
OH--Columbus seminarian to be sentenced for trying to have sex with infant
For immediate release, June 29, 2016
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
A Catholic seminarian who attracted national media attention and spent time in Ohio, Vermont and Kentucky is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday (7/1) for horrific child sex crimes.
Former Josephinum College student Joel Wright travelled to San Diego seeking infants for sex.
We hope he will be given a long sentence. This dangerous child predator, who was rejected by forty other seminaries, needs to be kept far away from kids forever.
OK--Victims prod new Tulsa bishop to act on abuse
For immediate release:Wednesday, June 29, 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 worried about Tulsa’s new bishop, David Konderla and hope he’ll deal very honestly and aggressively with clergy sex abuse and cover up cases. We see nothing in his actions as a priest that give us much hope.
Konderla has spent time in the Dallas diocese (with 20 publicly accused predator priests). He knows the first steps he should take in Tulsa. He should put kids’s safety and victims’ healing first. Specifically, he should:
NJ--Predator priest is found guilty; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 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’re relieved and grateful that a Paterson priest has been found guilty of child sex crimes. We applaud the brave girl who reported her suffering and hope this verdict brings her and her family some well-deserved consolation.
KY--Accused predatory minister dies; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 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])
An accused child predator has passed away. We hope his death will prompt others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to come forward.
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