Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Statement by Amy Smith, Co-leader of DFW SNAP ([email protected], 281-748-4050)

The high-profile Prestonwood Church of Dallas is selling its ostentatious building.

https://baptistnews.com/ministry/congregations/item/30628-prestonwood-baptist-church-sells-dallas-campus    

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 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 House Speaker Paul Ryan has removed the portrait of Dennis Hastert. Its presence in a taxpayer-funded building was hurtful to victims of sexual violence. Its removal will give hope to victims that if they speak up, sometimes, some measure of justice is possible.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/portrait-of-ex-speaker-dennis-hastert-taken-down-at-capitol/

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Tomorrow, Kansas City gets a new Catholic bishop. He’ll seem “kinder and gentler” than his predecessor but won’t be any better at protecting kids, healing victims, or deterring or exposing cover ups.    

For immediate release: Monday, November 2

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected]

New studies show Catholic abuse crisis costs $4 billion

Two solid pieces of new research show that the cost of the Catholic church abuse and cover up crisis is at least $4 billion, much higher than bishops have previously disclosed. We’re not surprised. If powerful men will hide clergy sex crimes and cover ups, they’ll surely hide the costs of that wrongdoing too.   

For immediate release: Friday, Oct. 30

Statement by Becky Ianni of Virginia, SNAP Virginia State leader (703-801-6044 cell, [email protected])

Denny Hastert’s Capitol Hill portrait must come down. Now that he’s pled guilty, there’s absolutely no excuse for Congressional officials to hurt victims of abuse by honoring an acknowledged wrongdoer.   

In the weeks ahead, a highly acclaimed film called Spotlight will be shown across the US. It mentions SNAP and features an actor who plays New England SNAP founder/leader Phil Saviano and shows that SNAP played a big role in helping journalists investigate and expose clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Boston (eventually exposing 249 predator priests in just one archdiocese and writing some 600 articles on the subject in one year.)   

For immediate release: Thursday, October 29

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 highly skeptical of the agreement between Syracuse Bishop Robert Cunningham and several local prosecutors. It was negotiated during months of secrecy which, in itself, is troubling.    

For immediate release: Thursday, October 29, 2015

Statement by Ann Hagan Webb, former director, New England SNAP, (617-513-8442).

Next month, when “Spotlight” opens in theaters, Cardinal Sean O’Malley should order every church staff member to see it. That is the best, quickest and cheapest way he can protect more kids. It’s easy for bishops to claim they have changed, but acting with real openness would prove real change. Boston parents and parishioners can only benefit by learning more about the church’s on going abuse and cover up crisis. O’Malley should be promoting this movie if he truly cares about the safety of children.

For more on O’Malley’s troubling track record on abuse click here. www.snapnetwork.org/rome_question_o_malley_record   or   http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_cardinal_o_malley_calls_for_compliance_not_enforcement

For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 27

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

A Phoenix priest is accused of ignoring reports that a now-admitted child molester made a boy strip naked and whipped him.

Fr. Patrick Crane is with Our Lady of Sorrows in Phoenix. Last month, he was interviewed by a detective because he worked for three years - from 2003 to 2006 – with Kevin Sloniker, who faces recent child sex charges in Washington and Idaho. Crane said he remembers part of the conversation with the boy.

For the safety of kids, we call on Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmstead to suspend Fr. Crane.

And we call on Idaho Bishop Peter F. Christensen and Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly to use church websites, parish bulletins, pulpit announcements and personal appeals to reach out to others who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Sloniker.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/oct/26/coeur-dalene-man-jailed-on-1-million-bond-suspecte/

For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 27

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

A news outlet reports that a “confessed child rapist Aaron Michael Fisher of Jefferson City, Missouri was able to walk free last week after delaying his trial for years, then suing for dismissal of his case on the grounds that he could not get a speedy trial.”

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/10/man-who-raped-infant-daughter-walks-free-and-all-he-had-to-do-was-run-out-the-clock/