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).
WI--Letter to Pope Francis from deaf survivors of St. John’s School on behalf of the 575 survivors in the Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy.
SNAPnetwork.org
CONTACT: Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director, 414.429.7259
(SNAP Statements on the bankruptcy settlement today here and here.)
Letter to Pope Francis from deaf survivors of St. John’s School on behalf of the 575 survivors in the Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy.
November 9, 2015
Dear Pope Francis,
We are writing to you as deaf survivors of childhood sexual assault by Father Lawrence Murphy who operated for decades St. John’s School for the Deaf in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. As far as we know, in the mid 1970’s we were the first victims of these crimes to publicly come forward anywhere in the world. We did so very reluctantly and only after learning that the Milwaukee Archdiocese, with the likely knowledge and advice of Vatican officials, was continuing to cover up the crimes of Fr. Murphy and leave deaf children at risk.
MO--Two sex offenders’ cases go to US Supreme Court
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 9, 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 most of the world, kids are even more vulnerable to predators than they are in the US. That’s why we hope the Supreme Court will uphold laws requiring convicted sex offenders to notify authorities when they move to a foreign country.
Two Kansas City men - Lester Nichols and Robert Lunsford - were convicted of sex crimes in unrelated cases and later moved - separately - to the Philippines. Neither of them updated their sex offender registrations. The question is: can or should they be required to do so?
http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/11/06/scotus-to-decide-reach-of-sex-offender-registry.htm
DE--Group applauds charges vs. church officials in sex case
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 9, 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 hope Delaware’s attorney general succeeds in winning a conviction against Jehovah Witness officials who did not report suspected child sex crimes to secular agencies.
SPOTLIGHT--Welcome to your movie
Remarks by Phil Saviano at the Boston showing of SPOTLIGHT for abuse victims
Welcome to your film. It’s your film because it's your courage and your compassion that made it possible.
The Globe’s team did remarkable work. But they’re the first to admit that without brave Boston survivors, they couldn’t have done their outstanding investigation.
Each one of you should feel deeply proud of your role in this film and in this crisis, regardless of whether you sued, settled, spoke publicly or didn’t. Each of you has exposed wrongdoers, protected kids, and deterred wrongdoing. We in SNAP are incredibly grateful for all you have done and are doing to safeguard the vulnerable and heal the wounded.
Please keep taking care of yourself. And please do what you can to get or stay more involved in our on-going struggle to make sure others don’t suffer like we’ve suffered.
TN--More desperate moves by convicted predator priest
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 6, 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 ex-priest charges that his lawyers were inept, prosecutors committed misconduct, and that both a judge and a district attorney’s office should be removed from his case and he deserves another trial.
Give me a break. More important, give the predator’s brave victim, Warren Tucker, a break.
MA--Church Review Board member promotes complacency instead of vigilance
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 5, 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 saddened that a Catholic layman disingenuously defends how Worcester Catholic officials deal with clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
In an newspaper op ed today, Edward Reynolds, claims the church hierarchy is “protecting children today by implementing nationally accepted protocols.” That’s baloney. They’re doing smart public relations. But they aren’t reforming.
MN--Victims to bishop: Don’t appeal $8 million abuse verdict
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 5, 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 fear that Duluth’s bishop will appeal an $8 million jury verdict or use it to justify seeking bankruptcy protection. We hope he’ll do neither. Both are irresponsible.
A Pennsylvania bishop once appealed a jury verdict for an abuse victim for more than a dozen years. Instead of paying the original $1.5 million, the diocese ultimately paid $2.569 million http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2001_10_17_Gibb_DioceseFinally.htm
MO--New KC bishop doesn’t mention abuse; Victims respond
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 5, 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 sad that Kansas City’s new bishop chose to basically ignore his diocese’s horrific track record on the biggest crisis his church faces. http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article42994710.html
MO--Three waves of victims of clergy sexual abuse
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 5, 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 have basically been three “waves” of Catholic child sex abuse victims.
First were many who no longer had ties to the church. Their faith had been stolen from them. So they had fewer fears about seeking justice.
Then there were many who were abused in parish settings. They worried about their privacy, since parishes can be somewhat tightly knit. But they came forward anyway.
MN--Victims applaud MN pedophile priest verdict
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 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 applaud a Minnesota jury for awarding $8.1 million to a victim of a predator priest. This verdict will protect kids and deter cover ups of child sex crimes.
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