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).
IN--Victims applaud Fogle sentencing
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])
Does 15 years in prison for ex-Subway pitchman Jared Fogle seem harsh? If so, consider this: “police say they reviewed nearly 160,000 text messages, more than 27,000 emails, and tens of thousands of videos and images.” Judge Tanya Walton Pratt is right: “The level of perversion and lawlessness exhibited by Mr. Fogle is extreme.”
WY--Records about WY 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 and abused in Wyoming have been made public. They paint an unflattering view of the Catholic church hierarchy.
He’s Fr. Charles J. Gormly and he worked at churches in Rock Springs, Pine Bluffs, Lander and Laramie. 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
CT--Victims: “Priest should give passport to bishop”
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])
We’re disappointed that a predator priest has pled guilty to lesser charges but hope he’s found guilty and harshly punished next month on other charges. And we hope his bishop will insist that the priest turn over his passport so he can’t flee the country.
http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-east-windsor-priest-charges-reduced-1119-20151118-story.html
Earlier this week, we learned of yet another case (and there have been dozens, if not hundreds like this) in which a Catholic priest who abused a child fled overseas.
CT--Secret records released re CT predator priest
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])
Ten pages of previously-secret records about a serial predator priest who worked and abused in Connecticut have been made public. They paint an unflattering view of the Catholic church hierarchy.
He’s Fr. Bernard W. Bissonette (a.k.a. Bissonnette). At least nine men have accused him of child sex crimes. One of them, Thomas Deary, committed suicide. Members of the Deary family travelled to New Mexico to confront Fr. Bissonette.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/07_08/2006_07_24_Taylor_TakingOn.htm
In the 1960s, Fr. Bissonette worked in the Norwich diocese at parishes in Moosup, Putnam and Pawcatuck.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/03_04/2006_03_08_Smith_JusticeFor.htm
Vatican-- Vatican says it controls foreigners but not predator priests?
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])
Catholic officials are showing stunning hypocrisy as they pursue a journalist who they say used “leaked” documents to expose financial misdeeds.
Time and time again, Vatican officials claim they’re powerless over predator priests. That’s the claim they make when secular authorities, like two United Nations’ panels, criticize them for doing so little to prevent clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
But in a stunning display of hubris and hypocrisy, Catholic officials “assert jurisdiction over foreign citizens even when the alleged crime occurs outside the Vatican if the crime is considered to be against the Vatican itself, and if the potential penalty is over three years.” (Their basis for this power grab is a new Vatican law passed in 2013.)
Nationwide--Victims blast military abuse secrecy
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 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 troubling new investigation into sexual violence in the military shows a disturbing rate of child sex crimes and secrecy. We desperately hope that Congress and other governmental officials will step up efforts to protect children from military offenders and will hold hearings soon to devise ways to make our armed forces safer from predators and more transparent about their cases.
Governmental officials must be more open about sexual violence in the military. It’s just that simple. Otherwise, the safety of children and adults will be jeopardized. And public support for the armed services will be hurt.
MN--Victims blast Duluth bishop over “continued secrecy”
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015
Statement by Verne Wagner of Duluth, SNAP director Northern Minnesota (218-340-1277, [email protected])
Shame on Duluth Bishop Paul Sirba and his public relations staff. Yesterday, they made one of the least compassionate and helpful statements we’ve ever seen from Catholic officials.
USA--Victims back government inquiry into child sex crimes & cover ups
For immediate release: Monday, November 16, 2015
Statement by Kevin Flood of Washington DC, SNAP spokesman ([email protected])
Along with other groups, we in SNAP today are pushing for a governmental investigation into child sex crimes and cover ups, like Australian officials are doing and officials in other nations have done.
http://sol-reform.com/National_Commission_Sexual_Abuse_Children/
DE--Victims want long prison term for priest
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 16, 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 grateful that a Delaware priest who did prison time for sexually assaulting young men pled guilty today to child porn charges. Though some news accounts refer to him as an “ex-priest,” we’re not sure this is the case. He may not have been defrocked, though he has almost certainly been suspended.
MD--US bishops meet; despite papal pledges, they don’t discuss abuse
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 16, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
There’s irony and tragedy today as the Washington DC-based US Conference of Catholic Bishops holds its annual meeting in Baltimore.
It’s ironic because, today, a former Washington DC priest who’d already served prison time for assaulting young men pled guilty to child pornography.
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