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--Springfield priest wins big promotion; Victims react
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 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 Springfield IL priest is being promoted to head (“rector”) perhaps the world’s most prominent Catholic seminary. We’re disappointed by this move, especially because he comes from a diocese riddled with many clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
WI--Two more Milwaukee predator priests are exposed
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Peter Isely 414 429 7250, [email protected]
Two Milwaukee predators are exposed
Both admitted molesting kids in other states
Neither have ever been “outed” in Wisconsin before
One, an ex-seminarian, now faces pending criminal charges
SNAP: “Catholic officials should spread the word about them”
Two admitted child molesting Catholic clerics who spent time in Milwaukee are being publicly exposed as predators by a victims’ group. It’s urging local Catholic officials to help prosecutors convict one of them.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are warning the public about Kevin Sloniker, an ex-seminarian who was arrested weeks ago in Menomonie for sexually abusing children and Fr. Eric Middlecamp who Catholic officials acknowledge molested kids and worked in Milwaukee.
CT--Cleric won’t “ever be a priest again?” We doubt it.
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 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 prosecutor claims she’s been told that a Hartford priest will ‘never be a priest again.’ We doubt that’s true.
CO--Denver predator priest sued for child sex crimes
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 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 new lawsuit has been filed against a predator priest who lives in Denver. Colorado Catholic officials should warn parents, police, parishioners, prosecutors and the public about him.
NY-- Predator priest spent time in Staten Island
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 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 from Long Island spent time in Staten Island. NYC Cardinal Timothy Dolan should aggressively seek out anyone he may have hurt in the archdiocese.
MO--Victims urge new KC bishop to order staff to see film
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
For more information: David Clohessy, [email protected], 314-566-9790, Barbara Dorris, [email protected], 314-503-0003
Victims to Bishop Johnston: “Make your staff see new film”
“Stop promoting complacency, start urging vigilance,” SNAP says
A victims group says Kansas City-St Joseph top Catholic official should make every parish and chancery employee go see a new film about the child sex abuse and cover up crisis in the church.
The highly acclaimed movie, Spotlight, opens at Kansas City area theaters today. It’s about how newspaper reporters uncovered decades of complicity in clergy sex crimes in the Boston archdiocese.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are writing Bishop James Johnston about the film. Officials at the Washington DC-based US Conference of Catholic Bishops have also sent public relations advice to every US diocese about the movie.
FL--Group praises man who exposed FL politician
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
In Politico today, a former Congressional page explains his role in the Rep. Mark Foley sex scandal.
VT--VT bishop takes national position; victims urge “openness”
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected],[email protected])
This week, Vermont Bishop Christopher Coyne takes charge of communication for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. What irony: He takes over during the week that a film called 'Spotlight' opens nationally. That movie depicts horrific deceit and corruption in the Boston Archdiocese, where Coyne worked as Cardinal Bernard Law’s primary mouthpiece, a post he held from 2002-2005. (See Rocco Palmo’s blog “Whispers in the Loggia.”)
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/01_02/2011_01_14_BostonGlobe_RevCoyne.htm
MN--Records about Crookston predator priest released
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Several pages of previously-secret records about a serial predator priest who worked in the Crookston diocese and abused in the Duluth diocese have been made public. They paint an unflattering view of the Catholic church hierarchy.
He’s Fr. Charles J. Gormly. Last December, “the Diocese of Duluth included Father Gormly on its official list of clergy members who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse,” according to a Minnesota newspaper.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2014/11_12/2014_12_14_Brainerd_Dispatch_Priest_at.htm
http://www.andersonadvocates.com/PriestList/231/Charles-Gormly.aspx
NY--Victims blast L.I. bishop over abuse remarks
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Earlier this year, Pope Francis said "Everything possible must be done to rid the church of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors and to open pathways of reconciliation and healing for those who were abused."
Today, Rockville Centre Bishop William Murphy basically said “I disagree.”
Through one of his public relations staff, Murphy claims that he has “no responsibility” for a predator priest who worked in his diocese.
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