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--Ex-Springfield minister faces child sex charges
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 22, 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 hearing is set for next month for a former Springfield minister who faces child sex charges in Chicago but was also investigated for similar crimes in 1990. We urge Baptist officials in Springfield and Chicago to
Rev. George W. Waddles Sr. worked in the 1980s at Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield (601 E, Laurel St, 217-528-6113), which is apparently the city’s first African American congregation. We fear he may have sexually assaulted girls there too.
IL--Another troubled priest quietly ousted; Victims respond
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 22, 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])
Once again, a priest who was ousted elsewhere for having “inappropriate images of students” was quietly sent to our area to work with no warning to parishioners. And once again, a priest who engaged in “inappropriate conduct” here has been quietly sent away, with no notice to parishioners, and is probably working now among unsuspecting colleagues and congregants in Philadelphia, Phoenix or Portland.
NJ--Victims urge bishop to disclose info on accused priest
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 22, 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])
Apparently, a New Jersey priest is accused of beating a 70 year old man and putting him in a coma. We hope Camden Bishop Dennis Sullivan will shed some light on this troubling accusation.
Australia--Victims respond to Cardinal Pell’s abuse denial
For immediate release: Monday, February 22
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747)
The third highest ranking Catholic official on earth is accused of molesting five to ten boys.
From the Daily Mail: “As police consider travelling to Rome to question Cardinal George Pell over the child sex abuse allegations, Australia's top Catholic has been seen strolling along the streets in the early spring sunshine.
WV--SNAP responds: Former WJ coach charged with sex crimes
For immediate release: Friday, Feb 19, 2016
Statement by: Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
A former assistant coach at Wheeling Jesuit University and YMCA counselor has been charged of sex crimes against a minor We hope that
--anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes will call law enforcement immediately,
--officials at the YMCA and at Wheeling Jesuit – along with Bishop Michael J. Bransfield - will aggressively seek out other possible victims, witnesses and whistleblowers.
Maqsood Harrington is accused of sex crimes against a 17-year-old girl at the YMCA, We fear he may have hurt others at Wheeling Jesuit and St. Clairsville High School.
http://wtov9.com/news/local/former-ymca-counselor-accused-of-sex-abuse
Rome--Victims urge pope to suspend Pell
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 19
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Orange County, California, SNAP western regional director (949 322 7434, [email protected])
Over a year, more than a dozen cops and say they’ve found five or ten alleged victims of Pope Francis’ top aide. That’s pretty credible and serious. For the safety of kids, the pontiff should suspend Cardinal George Pell.
Rome--Victim of just-restored convicted perp priest blasts Francis
For immediate release: Friday, February 19
Statement by Megan Peterson, abused by Fr. Jeyapaul in MN, [email protected], 218 684 0073
Yesterday, Pope Francis added insult to injury when he said a bishop who transfers a predator should resign and asked "Is that clear?" Just days ago, the Vatican lifted the suspension of my perpetrator, even though he was pled guilty to child sex crimes. So, no, Francis, you are NOT clear. Your words do not match your actions.
Rome--Pope says complicit bishops should resign
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])
Today, again, Francis says one thing and does the opposite. Bishops who move predator priests should resign, he told reporters. But just days ago, the AP reported that Vatican officials have lifted the suspension of a convicted predator priest. How does Francis reconcile his words and deeds? How can he justify such recklessness and callousness?
NJ--Victims want arrested cleric put in treatment center
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 18, 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 New Jersey Catholic cleric has been charged with having and watching child porn. We hope that
--anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes will call law enforcement immediately,
--students and staff at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen – along with Metuchen Bishop Paul Bootkoski - will aggressively see out other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers, and
--the cleric’s supervisors will put him in a remote, secure, independent treatment center so he’ll get therapy and be kept away from kids.
Canada--Deaf victims of pedophile priests settle abuse suits; SNAP responds
For immediate release Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
About 60 former students of the Montreal Institute for the Deaf have settled their child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against a Catholic group called the Clerics de St. Viateur.
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