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).
WV--Victims challenge bishop to act
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 15, 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])
Criminal charges have been filed against three Catholic officials who assigned priests to work in the Wheeling-Charleston diocese. We challenge Bishop Michael J. Bransfield to take action to help prosecutors convict these complicit clerics.
Franciscans, including notorious serial predator Brother Stephen Baker, have worked for years in Philippi, WV. A grand jury in Pennsylvania has found that Franciscan officials moved eight accused clerics elsewhere after they were accused of assaulting kids.
IN--Accused Notre Dame predator priest commits suicide; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 14, 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 predator priest, who was allowed to keep working for months despite being named in a lawsuit as an abuser, has taken his own life.
http://therivardreport.com/fr-virgilio-elizondo-reportedly-takes-his-own-life/
MN--Twin Cities Catholic official faces criminal charges
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 14, 2016
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747)
We are grateful that three Catholic officials who enabled a serial predator to assault 90 kids are being criminally charged. Those who commit clergy sex crimes are sometimes charged. But those who conceal those crimes are rarely charged.
One of them is in the Twin Cities:
FL--Orlando Catholic official faces criminal charges
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 14, 2016
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747)
We are grateful that three Catholic officials who enabled a serial predator to assault 90 kids are being criminally charged. Those who commit clergy sex crimes are sometimes charged. But those who conceal those crimes are rarely charged.
PA--Victims want predators “purged” & one wrongdoer punished
For immediate release: Friday, March 11, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy, director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
With lightning speed, Altoona Bishop Mark Bartchack recently removed a couple of church banners, a nearly-meaningless gesture. But with glacial speed, he talks but won’t move on pressing and practical steps that will protect kids.
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-altoona-priest-sexual-abuse-fallout-20160309-story.html
In the whole 147 page report, perhaps the most disturbing fact is that the jurors are “concerned the purge of predators is taking too long.”
Canada--Lawsuit says Mennonite Church failed to prevent abuse
For immediate release Friday, March 11
Statement by Barbra Graber, Leader, Anabaptist-Mennonite Chapter of SNAP, 540-214-8874, [email protected]
We are grateful this brave woman has filed a lawsuit alleging the Mennonite church “fostered a climate that aided in the abuse of children.” Brian Douglas Porinsky, a former pastor with the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba pleaded guilty to sexual assault and is serving time in prison.
PA--Representative calls for grand jury investigations of all PA dioceses
For immediate release: Thursday, March 10
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])
Representative Mark Rozzi is right. Every PA diocese should be investigated. Virtually every grand jury has uncovered the same awful continuing pattern of deception and recklessness. If prosecutors use their bully pulpits, and beg victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to come forward we are confident that some recent cases will emerge.
OH--Victims blast Cincy archbishop over priest theft case
For immediate release: Thursday, March 10
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])
Just as they usually do in child sex abuse and cover up cases, Catholic officials are responding callously and selfishly in a criminal case against a priest, Fr. Earl Simone, who accused of stealing $1.5 million from St. Peter’s parish in Huber Heights.
http://wdtn.com/2016/03/09/court-date-set-for-former-st-peter-priest/
PA--Priest verbally attacks jurors; Victims want him punished
For immediate release: Thursday, March 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 once high-ranking Altoona priest is publicly blasting jurors and law enforcement personnel. His boss, Altoona’s bishop, should demote or at least discipline him. And the bishop should order all church employees to resist the temptation to blame others for wrongdoing by church staff.
Msgr. Michael Servinsky told a newspaper that “the grand jury did quite a hatchet job on Bishop Joseph (Adamec) – they did him in.”
WV--“Monster” predator priest quietly sent to WV
For immediate release: Thursday, March 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])
A serial Pennsylvania predator priest – who was described by law enforcement officials as a “monster” who may have “molested hundreds” – was quietly sent to work in West Virginia, according to a just-released grand jury report.
We want West Virginia’s Catholic bishop to alert his flock about this pedophile, Fr. Francis McCaa. (Links below)
We strongly suspect he also hurt kids in West Virginia.
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