Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 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])

Today, more evidence emerges showing that Cardinal Timothy Dolan is among the most secretive US Catholic officials when it comes to the safety of children.

Last week, the website of Dolan’s archdiocesan newspaper quietly posted a short notice that Fr. Keith Fennessy has been suspended because of child pornography.

http://cny.org/stories/Father-Fennessy-Barred-From-Priestly-Ministry,13818?

Updated January 31, 2018

For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbra Graber (540-214-8874, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris(314-503-0003, [email protected], Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])

Sex-offending church workers are listed for first time on website

Admitted, convicted & credibly accused clergy & employees are exposed

Mennonite/Anabaptist officials who cover up abuse will also be tracked

Exposing abuse “helps survivors heal, protects the vulnerable,” group says

A support group for survivors of sexual abuse is announcing the release of a list of credibly accused, admitted, and convicted sexual predator Mennonite and Anabaptist clergy and employees.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mennonite_map

For immediate release: Monday, April 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])

A just-introduced bill in the Pennsylvania legislature will let many who commit or conceal child sex crimes off the hook. It will protect our grandkids, but not our kids. And for years, it will do little or nothing to expose and punish “enablers” – supervisors and colleagues who hid child sex crimes. We hope Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) re-considers his opposition to a civil window.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2016/04/statute_of_limitations_ron_mar.html

For immediate release: Monday, April 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 stunned by how naïve and irresponsible three Pennsylvania prosecutors are about the continuing abuse and cover up crisis in the Catholic church.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2016/04/03/Should-dioceses-use-grand-jury-probes-like-in-the-case-of-the-Diocese-of-Altoona-Johnstown/stories/201604030154

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 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 are grateful to the brave Louisville family that is suing a priest and his church supervisors over reported child sex crimes. Kids are safest when those they hurt seek justice in court.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/03/29/boys-parents-sue-archdiocese-over-priest/82376988/

For immediate release: Friday, April 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])

We’re grateful that a US attorney in Pennsylvania is talking about using RICO laws against Catholic officials.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/03/31/u-s-attorney-clergy-accused-of-sexual-abuse-could-face-consequences-under-civil-rico-statute/

For immediate release: Friday, April 1

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])

Another church official has been hired at the Vatican to help write more meaningless church abuse policies that will help church officials look concerned but will be ignored by church officials. She’s an Illinois native who has worked for US bishops and for the Illinois State Patrol. We wish this were an April Fool’s Day joke but it’s not.

What’s needed is decisive action to expose and remove clerics who commit or conceal abuse. What’s NOT needed are more church abuse policies. Such policies have existed for decades and have been ignored for decades. These policies help with public relations, not with public safety.

For immediate release: Friday, April 1

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

This weekend, the New Orleans Catholic archbishop is holding an apology service when he should be protecting kids, exposing predators, punishing enablers and releasing abuse records. Tangible steps will do more to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded that all the words, gestures and apologies. He should focus on three particularly dangerous predator priests, one of whom has attracted nearly no attention in New Orleans.

http://clarionherald.info/clarion/index.php/news/latest-news/155-breaking-news/5379-divine-mercy-liturgy-to-include-forgiveness-ritual

For immediate release: Friday, April 1

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]) 

It’s heartbreaking to learn that a Catholic deacon told a mother to call church officials instead of independent professionals when her son was threatening suicide.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/new_details_emerge_about_abuse.html