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).
PA--Two colleges must rescind Bill Cosby honor, victims say
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015
Statement by Karen Polesir of Ambler, SNAP leader (267-992-9463, [email protected])
As the year ends, there’s no better time than now for Temple and Cheyney universities to rescind honors the schools have given to disgraced rapist Bill Cosby. It would help victims of sexual violence heal. And it would help prevent more sexual violence, by making it easier for rape victims to report these heinous crimes.
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20151207/swarthmore-revokes-bill-cosbys-honorary-degree
IL--Victims deplore “full honors” funeral for complicit bishop
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015
Statement by Kate Bochte, SNAP leader, Geneva IL 630-768-1860, [email protected]
Today, a deceased Joliet Catholic bishop will apparently be buried with “full honors” while dozens of church officials and hundreds of church members look on and quietly tolerate this hurtful injustice.
PA--Victims applaud DA’s decision to appeal priest abuse case
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 28, 2015
Statement by Karen Polesir of Amber, SNAP Philly director (267-992-9463, [email protected])
We’re grateful that Philly prosecutors continue defending the conviction of a high ranking Catholic official who helped conceal clergy sex crimes. We hope Seth Williams prevails in his latest move to hold Msgr. William Lynn responsible for his devious and hurtful cover ups.
IL--Victims ask college to rescind bishop's honor
For immediate release Thursday, December 24, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Joliet college should end its practice of honoring a disgraced, just-deceased Catholic bishop.
http://patch.com/illinois/joliet/university-st-francis-dishonors-priest-abuse-survivors-honoring-bishop-joseph-0
Vatican--Victims dismiss papal meeting with Mexican survivors
For immediate release, December 24, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Pope Francis will supposedly meet with clergy sex abuse victims in Mexico in February. We are not impressed. Instead of creating public relations opportunities by meeting with victims, Francis should be taking decisive action to reduce the number of victims.
http://www.ansa.it/english/news/vatican/2015/12/24/pope-to-meet-sex-abuse-victims-in-mexico_823601f9-c193-4f6b-a6f3-d0a9bd3acad2.html
CT--Accused predator priest put back to work; Victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An accused predator priest has supposedly been “cleared” by his clerical colleagues and will be put back to work, a move that we believe may endanger more innocent kids.
PA--Convicted predator priest is hiring public relations firm before sentencing
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A convicted predator priest is apparently hiring a public relations firm in advance of his sentencing. We hope his bishop prevents him from doing this or that no firm accepts his offer. And we hope the IRS and other authorities investigate whether the cleric is breaking laws or misleading donors to his non-profit.
http://everything-pr.com/child-molesting-priest-seeks-to-hire-a-pr-agency/75923/
PA--Top Philly Catholic official to get new trial; Victims respond
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The nation’s only Catholic supervisor in jail for endangering kids and protecting predators will get a new trial. This ruling rubs salt into already deep and still fresh wounds of Philadelphia Catholic and victims. It also emboldens those who are hiding or are tempted child sex crimes.
IL--Joliet bishop passes away; Clergy abuse victims react
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015
Statement by David G. Clohessy, Director, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), 314-566-9790 (cell) [email protected]
At least 39 Joliet priests are accused of molesting kids and many of them worked under and were protected by the now-deceased Bishop Joseph Imesch. We hope Imesch’s passing will bring some comfort to the hundreds of girls and boys who were sexually violated during his tenure.
http://abc7chicago.com/news/joliet-former-bishop-joseph-imesch-dies-at-84/1132090/
OH--College rescinds Bill Cosby honor; Victims applaud move
For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We are thrilled and grateful that Oberlin College officials have revoked Bill Cosby’s honorary degree. A credibly accused serial rapist deserves no public recognition or honor at all, especially not on a college campus.
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/12/oberlin_college_rescinds_bill.html
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