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).
Scotland--Victims blast archbishop’s apology
For immediate release: Tuesday, Aug. 18
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])
Scotland’s top Catholic bishop has issued a weak, vague and self-serving apology to hundreds of victims of clerics who committed and concealed heinous child sex crimes. No one should be reassured or mollified by his hollow words.
NY--Victims blast Jewish center for keeping controversial rabbi
For immediate release: Monday, Aug. 17
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])
Shame on Donald Liss, Samson Fine, and every other Riverdale Jewish Center official who has decided to keep Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt on the job despite his sauna chats with naked boys. The painful question that they can’t adequately answer is this: “Why take such a needless risk with the safety of young people?”
MO--Victims blast Missouri tourist attraction
For immediate release: Monday, Aug. 17
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])
We urge Cape Girardeau area citizens to boycott the Iron Mountain Railroad. The head of the railroad is callously hurting adults who have been molested and youngsters who are being molested right now.
KY--Victims urge outreach in priest porn case
For immediate release: Saturday, Aug. 15
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])
Louisville Catholic officials and church members face a simple but crucial question: Do you help law enforcement, or not, in a child porn investigation against a priest. We hope they find the courage to do what’s right and aggressively seek out anyone who might have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by a just-suspended priest.
MI--Victims urge blast Grand Rapids bishop over predator
For immediate release: Friday, Aug. 14
Statement by SNAP leader Bill McAlary (616-514-0654, [email protected]), who was abused as a child by Fr. Stanislaus A. Bur, who worked in parishes in Grand Rapids, Beal City, Hastings, Traverse City, Muskegon, Ionia, Maple City, Beal City, Kinde, Pinnebog and Beaver).
Grand Rapids Catholic officials apparently kept silent about child sex abuse reports against a priest. They apparently kept silent when while supposedly “investigating” those reports. They apparently kept silent when they deemed those reports credible. They apparently kept silent when they quietly sent the case to the Vatican. And only now, likely years later, are Grand Rapids Catholic officials finally disclosing that he’s a child molester, while providing virtually no helpful information that might protect other vulnerable kids Shame on them.
OH--Man indicted in Steubenville rape case is now a principal
For immediate release: Thursday, Aug. 13
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Midwest Associate Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 974 5003, [email protected])
It's heart-breaking that the Switzerland school board has hired an ex-Steubenville city school superintendent who was once indicted and charged by a special grand jury,
http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/579972/Former-school-chief--hired.html?nav=5010
Germany--Victims blast Pope’s decision re “Bishop of Bling”
For immediate release: Thursday, Aug. 13
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])
German Catholics, who were deceived and exploited by a selfish bishop, are apparently being rebuffed by Pope Francis in their effort to seek justice. It’s the same old pattern: corrupt Catholic officials are given “mercy” while their victims are given nothing.
MO--Victims diss bishop’s apology
For immediate release: Tuesday, Aug. 11
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])
KC Catholic officials are issuing apologies and holding “healing services.” Their priorities are backwards.
Q & A on Pope Francis and the abuse/cover up crisis
By David Clohessy, director of SNAP ([email protected], 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home)
Francis has done more about the abuse crisis than his predecessors. Isn't that encouraging?
First, we should judge church officials NOT by what their terrible predecessors did but by what responsible officials would do. It's little comfort to a girl who's been raped under Francis to say "Well, under Benedict, there might have been an even smaller chance of your predator being ousted."
Neither Benedict nor Francis has exposed a single child molesting cleric or really punished a single complicit church official. They've made lots of reassuring talk but taken little meaningful action.
WI--Creditors Committee in child sex abuse bankruptcy never agreed to key settlement terms announced by Milwaukee Archdiocese
Creditors Committee in child sex abuse bankruptcy never agreed to key settlement terms announced by Milwaukee Archdiocese
Archdiocese secretly removed 80 victims from settlement after agreement
Chair says victims were “duped” in mediation
Time for an investigation by the Federal Bankruptcy Trustee and the Department of Justice
Statement by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director
CONTACT: 414.429.7259
The Chair of the Creditors Committee of the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s nearly five year old child sex abuse bankruptcy is saying today that the committee can no longer support the settlement agreement unilaterally announced by Archbishop Jerome Listecki last week.
According to Charles Linneman, the Chair of the Creditors Committee, at least 80 victims were removed from the settlement without the committee’s knowledge.
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