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).
Vatican--Prominent survivor leaves papal panel; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We share Pete Saunders’ justifiable frustration with Vatican officials. They refuse to take quick, simple, common sense steps to protect kids and deter cover ups by punishing clerics who conceal abuse. Instead, they do what church officials have done for decades: shrewdly fixate on and discuss meaningless internal policies on paper that give the impression of progress while changing virtually nothing.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3434855/Child-abuse-campaigner-handpicked-Pope-head-commission-paedophile-priests-suddenly-leaves-Vatican-24-hours-warning-pontiff-tackle-issue.html
HI--Victims blast Hawaii church officials over “window dressing”
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 5
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, [email protected])
Hawaii Catholic officials are trotting out the same old claims of “reform” that bishops have cited for decades in the continuing abuse and cover up crisis in the church.
Rome--Another meaningless church panel
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 4
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
Yet another church abuse panel is holding yet another meeting. Such panels have met at varying levels in the church for decades the results: extraordinarily little progress.
DE--Unusual court ruling on confession, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Delaware Court has issued what’s being called a “precedent-setting” ruling about the so-called sanctity of confession in a clergy sex abuse and cover up lawsuit.
http://delawarestatenews.net/news/judge-refuses-to-dismiss-lawsuit-against-jehovahs-witnesses/
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2016/02/court-says-priest-penitent-privilege.html
https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=27395
Judge Mary M. Johnston is dealing with a case involving a child molesting Jehovah’s Witness in Delaware.
NM--Another Catholic child sex abuse case; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A child molesting teacher was given another decade around kids because Catholic officials claim they “couldn’t substantiate” a child sex abuse report against him. Parents, police, prosecutors and parishioners who think that church officials are “doing better” with abuse should think again.
http://krqe.com/2016/02/03/teacher-accused-of-inappropriately-touching-students-arrested-again/
PA--Victims applaud Cosby ruling
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016
Statement by Karen Polesir, of Ambler, SNAP Philadelphia leader (267-992-9463, [email protected])
Wake up, rich rapists! Your days of sweetheart deals are diminishing.
That’s the message a Philadelphia judge sent to Bill Cosby today. This is a significant step forward for victims of sexual violence. We hope this victory will encourage other prosecutors and police to pursue older rape cases.
IL--SNAP responds: U of C Prof accused of sexual harassment
For immediate release Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Statement by Barbara Blaine, President and Founder of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 312 399 4747
In the awful sexual harassment case of a recently-resigned and now disgraced University of Chicago Professor Jason Leib, two people deserve praise.
PA--Victims comment in advance of Cosby ruling today
For Immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016
Statement by Karen Polesir, of Ambler, SNAP Philadelphia leader (267-992-9463, [email protected])
If Cosby wins today, the blame lies squarely on Bruce Castor and Pennsylvania’s predator-friendly statutes of limitations that incentivizes covering up sex crimes. If Cosby wins, we hope there’s an appeal and we hope that this ruling will prod other rape victims to come forward
AR--Arkansas Catholic officials must do outreach in abuse case
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Statement by Bill Lindsey of Little Rock, Arkansas director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (501-993-7933, [email protected])
Arkansas Catholic officials should aggressively seek out anyone who might have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by a Catholic teacher.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/feb/02/substitute-teacher/?f=news-arkansas
NE--Survivors: you should not reward a proven wrongdoer like Finn
For immediate release, February 1, 2016
January 27, 2016
Dear Bishop Conley:
We are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org). Our goal is to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.
Recently, we learned that you have invited Bishop Robert Finn into your diocese and are letting him minister to nuns at Lincoln's School Sisters of Christ the King convent.
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