Media Statements

For immediate release: Thursday, July 16 

For more information: Cappy Larson of San Francisco, California, Orthodox Christian Director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) ([email protected], 415-637-2006); Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California ([email protected], 925-708-6175)

Episcopal priest publicly backs convicted pedophile

Victims write to his superior denouncing this “hurtful” move

Bishop should severely reprimand the priest, support group says

SNAP: “He should also use this opportunity to educate his clergy”

A Springfield-area priest has taken to the internet to publicly back a convicted child molesting cleric and a victims’ group wants Springfield’s Episcopal bishop to discipline the priest.      

For immediate release: Thursday, July 16

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

A priest who worked in Cleveland has been sentenced to prison on unrelated child pornography crimes. We now hope law enforcement officials will pursue charges against any clerics who helped him conceal his crimes.

From 1983-1984, Fr. Richard James Kurtz taught at Gesu school, with 600+ students, at 450 Miramar Blvd in University Heights (216-932-0620). But he will spend 12 years behind bars.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Kurtz_Richard_James_sj.htm

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 15

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests 

(314 566 9790, [email protected], da[email protected])

Let’s be a bit more skeptical of claims that the Vatican is in some way acting against a Mexican bishop for hiding clergy child sex crimes.

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/pope-francis-dumps-two-more-bishops-house-cleaning-continues

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 15

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 impressed by and grateful to Maryland police and prosecutors who are pursuing a very old murder case involving Sheila and Katharine Lyon who were abducted in 1975. We’re especially encouraged by the pledge Maryland authorities to go after those who helped conceal these horrific crimes. (All too often, those who commit crimes against kids are prosecuted but those who conceal those crimes are not.)

Law enforcement should never let those who hurt kids rest. Those who commit or conceal crimes against kids should never be allowed to exploit technicalities like the statute of limitations.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b4f144a821f14557a19e91eb01650483/police-development-1975-case-missing-maryland-sisters

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 14

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’re glad that a convicted complicit Catholic official has been moved to a prison and won’t be visited by Pope Francis in September. We’re grateful for this news. And we’re grateful that Msgr. William Lynn is still behind bars because we believe this might help deter cover ups by other church officials.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/07/14/monsignor-lynn-moved-from-prison-on-popes-u-s-itinerary/#.VaU8BhLu2u0.twitter

Statement by SNAP leader Kate Bochte (630-768-1860, keight@sbcglobal.net), the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

One of Dennis Hastert’s victims came from a troubled family, a relative says in a new interview. And in court today, like the deceptive Wizard of Oz, Hastert’s lawyers say “Pay no attention to Hastert's child sex crimes” but only to recent leaks of information. We are saddened that a one time “public servant” is posturing as a victim when he is, in fact, a perpetrator.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/hastert-attorney-misconduct-allegations-complicate-case/article_78cd3d7f-944e-5e25-88b0-8a38e57d662c.html

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 14 

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by  Priests

A priest who is on the sex offender registry is being sentenced today for child porn. He had the material in Chicago and in Michigan and he sexually assaulted a boy in Colorado. We hope he’s locked up for as long as possible.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/07/14/prosecutors-want-14-year-sentence-for-70-year-old-detroit-priest-in-child-porn-case/

For immediate release: Monday, July 13

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

Fifteen years after having been accused of child sexual abuse, a Stockton Catholic priest is being suspended.

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150710/NEWS/150719943/101011/A_NEWS  

For immediate release: Monday, July 13

Statement by SNAP leader Kate Bochte (630-768-1860, keight@sbcglobal.net)

Enough is enough! We urge reporters to STOP looking for victims of Dennis Hastert. Just leave the guys alone. They have already suffered so much for so long.

The Chicago Tribune reports that numerous reporters are “digging through Yorkville High School yearbooks and knocking on doors of former high school wrestlers now in their 50s and 60s.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-dennis-hastert-mystery-met-20150707-story.html#page=1

For immediate release: Monday, July 13

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

An allegation of child sexual abuse against a Florida Catholic priest has been deemed “unsubstantiated” by his church supervisors.  

http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_b91cefad-e4a1-5389-a155-05dd01eed14f.html