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).
PA--Allentown Catholic officials beat abuse victim in court
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 25
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Allentown Catholic officials won a court ruling today in a child predator case.
Another appalling papal comment on abuse crisis
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 25
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Twice in two days, Pope Francis has made vague and brief references to the on-going abuse and cover up crisis, mentioning the pain of church staff but not the pain of abused children and betrayed parishioners. He refuses to even call the scandal by its name.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/nyregion/pope-francis-new-york-city-visit.html
http://www.kerngoldenempire.com/news/pope-francis-offers-prayers-after-hajj-tragedy
NY--Pope to address UN, despite Vatican non-compliance with treaties on Torture, Rights of the Child
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 25
For more information: Barbara Blaine (312 399 4747, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949 322 7434, [email protected]), Peter Isely (414 429 7259, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314 503 0003, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Pope speaks to UN but rebuffs UN treaties
Two UN committees investigated church cover-ups
Both issued reports last year harshly blasting Vatican
Experts made dozens of prevention recommendations
But Francis refuses to adopt them and turn over evidence
View the complete UN committee reports here: http://ccrjustice.org/home/what-we-do/our-cases/snap-v-pope-et-al
Members of SNAP and the Center for Constitutional Rights will be available for in-person comment and interviews from 11 am to 2 pm at CCR’s offices: 666 Broadway, 7th floor, NYC, 212-614-6464, or at the contact numbers above.
Washington DC--Grosso Calls on Pope Francis and the Catholic Church to Protect Victims of Sexual Abuse
Statement by Councilmember At-Large David Grosso
Today, at 2:30pm, Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) will join victims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests at a rally in front of the Wilson Building. In advance of the rally, Grosso released the following statement:
"In his prayer meeting with U.S. bishops yesterday, Pope Francis spoke of a 'generous commitment to bring healing'- this stance must extend to those who have suffered sexual abuse. I am calling on the Pope to hold the bishops of the Catholic Church accountable for abuse committed on their watch. It is past time for the Church to support better laws that protect children, expose predators, and punish enablers.
NY--Pope should denounce Syracuse bishops, group says
For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 24, 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])
Yesterday, Pope Francis refused to criticize, even obliquely, even one US Catholic official yesterday for words or deeds that hurt innocent kids or wounded victims.
So today, while he’s in New York, we hope the pope will discipline or at least denounce two Syracuse bishops who have blamed victims of predator priests for their victimization. (This news just came to light last week. )
IL--Chicago abuse victims blasts new papal remarks
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) (312-399-4747,[email protected])
In a speech to U.S. bishops, according to ABC News, Francis “does not specifically reference the pedophilia that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church.”
He does, however, speak of some alleged “great sacrifice" made by bishops because of the abuse and cover up crisis.
Letter to Pope Francis -- It is not a miracle that 575 of us in Milwaukee came forward
September 23, 2015
Pope Francis
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City
Dear Pope Francis,
I am one of 575 victims of childhood rape, sexual assault or abuse by clergy who have worked in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee who have filed cases seeking restitution from the church in US Federal Bankruptcy Court. I am writing to you on our behalf and on behalf of our families.
Every rape or sexual assault of a child is a double act of theft: first it steals the body and then it steals the voice.
Catholic newspaper criticizes Pope's remarks today
For immediate release, September 23, 2015
Statement by Peter Isely of Milwaukee, SNAP Midwest Director (414 429 7259, [email protected])
The editor of the independent National Catholic Reporter takes Francis to task today – as he should – for his first remarks about the church’s seemingly-endless scandal of sexual violence and secrecy.
An NCR reporter says that Francis made “an oblique” reference to the abuse and cover up crisis. And NCR editor Dennis Coday said that the pope’s “sadly disappointing” message was “a glaring oversight” that “will undoubtedly raise the charges of ‘he just doesn’t get it.’”
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-falters-addressing-sex-abuse
US bishops show cowardice and callousness
For immediate release, September 23, 2015
Statement by Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]
We're sad that Francis claims US bishops have shown "courage" in the abuse crisis. Almost without exception, they have shown cowardice and callousness and continue to do so now. They offer excuses, exploit legal technicalities and hide behind expensive lawyers and public relations professionals, hardly the marks of courage.
Victims blast pope’s praise of bishops
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP president (312-399-4747, [email protected])
In a speech today to U.S. bishops, according to ABC News, Francis “does not specifically reference the pedophilia that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church.”
He does, however, speak of some alleged “great sacrifice" made by bishops because of the abuse and cover up crisis.
What sacrifice? What bishops takes fewer vacations, drives a smaller car, does his own laundry or has been passed over for promotion because he’s shielding predators and endangering kids? None.