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--Flier handed out 9/20 at Philadelphia Catholic church
Help us to protect kids!
WHO WE ARE
We belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
WHY WE’RE HERE
We want to protect kids, deter wrongdoing and expose clerics who commit and conceal clergy sex crimes. And we want you to help us prod Catholic officials do take tangible steps to safeguard others.
TN--Non-profit should ‘reach out’ to other victims
For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 17
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A former Memphis college student and Big Brothers/Big Sisters volunteer was convicted Thursday of raping a 7-year-old boy. Officials with the school and the non-profit should aggressively reach out to others who may have been hurt by Christopher Bostick.
National--New report: Predator priests sent overseas, still working
For immediate release: Thursday, September 17
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
In a year-long investigation, GlobalPost “has found that the Catholic Church has allowed allegedly abusive priests to slip off to parts of the world where they would face less scrutiny from prosecutors and the media.
PA--SNAP backs proposed investigation of Cardinals
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 16
SNAP backs proposed investigation of Cardinals
Group especially urges Vatican action vs. Burke
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790)
We applaud and support Catholic Whistleblowers in their push for Vatican action against two prelates who have protected predator priests. We especially urge top Catholic officials to investigate and discipline Cardinal Raymond Burke.
MO--Victims respond to new KC bishop
For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 15
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Newly named Kansas City Bishop James Johnston is no friend of kids or victims. His record on clergy sex crimes and cover ups is disappointing. Pope Francis has made another poor choice.
--Weeks ago, we urged Johnston to reach out to anyone who may have been hurt in Springfield by two predator priest, Fr. Michael Charland and Fr. Thomas Meyer, who’d recently been “outed” as predators in another state, but who had worked or spent time in the Springfield diocese.
MI--Judge should cancel speech
For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015
For more information: Claudia Vercellotti, Toledo SNAP leader (419) 345-9291cell [email protected]; [email protected]
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected],
Victims ask justice to cancel speech
She’s going to college with a predatory professor
Abuse group warns “Her presence endorses recklessness”
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is asking an Ohio Supreme Court justice to cancel her appearance at a college this week where an admitted abuser teaches.
Guam--Archbishop tries to discredit victim
For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 14
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected],[email protected])
A once devout Guam Catholic insider says that an archbishop urged him to try to discredit an abuse victim. The revelation echoes similar and fresh controversies in New York and Chile in which bishops also “trash” abuse victims.
http://www.junglewatch.info/2015/09/why-are-we-doing-this-what-do-we-have.html
NY--Cardinal should denounce Syracuse bishops
For immediate release: Sunday, Sept. 13
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
New York Cardinal Tim Dolan should harshly, publicly and immediately denounce two Syracuse bishops for blaming victims of pedophile priests for their victimization.
NY--"Denounce Syracuse bishop," group says
For immediate release: Sunday, Sept. 13
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])
Two Syracuse bishops have blamed victims of predator priests for their victimization.
NE--Victims seek “real reform” from diocese
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 10
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected],[email protected])
For more than a dozen years, Lincoln Catholic officials have violated the weak, vague and ineffective US church abuse policy. So it’s hard to get excited that Bishop James Conley is belatedly complying with one part of that policy.
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