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).
National--Victims group blasts child marriage
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP outreach director (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
Thousands of kids in the US are getting married, often to adults and with court approval, according to alarming statistics in today’s New York Times. This must stop.
CA--Victims applaud ESPN’s backing away from film re Sacrmento mayor
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 13
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 grateful that ESPN is distancing itself from a film that largely focuses on Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson but wish the network would have addresses the serious accusation of sexual violence against a teenager before or during the film itself.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/marcos-breton/article38838423.html
Vatican--Papal spokesman denounces wrong clerics
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The top papal spokesman is “denouncing” Vatican leaks (according to the Associated Press).
http://www.newsday.com/news/world/vatican-seeks-to-end-case-of-letter-to-pope-on-family-1.10955297
NM--Two more NM predator priests are sued
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Two more New Mexico priests are accused of molesting kids. Will Catholic officials ever “come clean” and disclose these dangerous men? Or must they be sued over and over again while they live among unsuspecting families?
http://www.abqjournal.com/658968/news/suits-id-expriests-accused-of-abuse.html
MO--Marianists settle with Chaminade sex abuse victim
For immediate release: Friday, October 9
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP outreach director (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
Another settlement of another child sex abuse and cover up case involving Chaminade is being disclosed.
It involves Br. Louis Meinhardt. His crimes were hidden by Marianist officials for decades. They only surfaced in 2011 thanks to a brave survivor (who had first reported Br. Meinhardt to church officials in 2003.). Br. Meinhardt worked at the school from 1958 to 1982 and died in 1990.
WI--Milwaukee Catholic lawyers and judges celebrate themselves with the Archbishop as firms reap enormous bankruptcy profits
Statement by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director (Milwaukee)
CONTACT: 414.429.7259; [email protected]
This evening at the Milwaukee Catholic cathedral and later at a downtown country club, Catholic lawyers, judges and lawmakers will be processing to the altar with Archbishop Jerome Listecki to celebrate and honor themselves at what is called an annual “Red Mass”. Apparently in the middle ages when every judge was a Catholic, they wore red robes, hence the name.
Victims hope Francis doesn't win Nobel Prize
For immediate release: Thursday, October 8, 2015
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected] )
We hope the esteemed Nobel committee does not award the Nobel Peace Prize to Pope Francis.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/q_a_on_pope_francis_and_the_abuse_cover_up_crisis
Rome--Italian priest blames kids for their own abuse
For immediate release Thursday, October 8
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An Italian priest has been suspended because he admits that he can "understand" pedophilia because sometimes youngsters essentially bring abuse on themselves.
Father Gino Flaim basically says that, at least in some cases, kids "looking for" affection tempt pedophile priests and cause them to commit child sex crimes. That's preposterous and hurtful.
Rome--Pope blasts his flock over corrupt bishop
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 8
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Pope Francis says that thousands of his flock are "dumb" and "led around by the nose" by "leftists" who are “orchestrating” opposition to a discredited bishop. Why? Because they choose to believe three credible child sex abuse victims and disbelieve a few Catholic officials who claim that their brother bishop isn’t corrupt bishop despite strong evidence to the contrary.
PA--Altoona priest accused of abuse
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Another Altoona priest has allegedly committed child sex crimes. He's the 28th Altoona-Johnstown diocesan cleric to be publicly accused of molesting children.
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