Media Statements

For immediate release: Friday, June 5

Statement by Verne Wagner of Duluth, Northeast MN SNAP director (218- 340-1277, [email protected])

We're glad Bishop Paul Sirba met with one parish about Fr. Brian Lederer.

http://www.hibbingmn.com/news/local/bishop-leads-q-a-session-on-charged-priest/article_0d588b9e-0b29-11e5-bd32-97b96d2746ff.html   

For immediate release: Friday, June 5

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])

“When you defend a predator, your words hurt.” That’s the lesson many should learn from the pain of the Reinboldt family.

Our hearts ache for the Reinboldt family, whose brother Steve was sexually abused as a youngster by Dennis Hastert.  http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/exclusive-alleged-dennis-hastert-sex-abuse-victim-named/story?id=31530828  

For immediate release: Wednesday, June 3

Statement by Susan Vance of Knoxville, Eastern TN SNAP leader (865-927-2923, 865-748-3518 cell, [email protected])

McDowell County, N.C., during a Monday morning appearance in General Sessions Court, according to Greene County Circuit Court Clerk Gail Davis Jeffers.

On Monday evening, Capt. Victor Hollifield, of the McDowell County (N.C.) Sheriff's Department said by telephone from Marion, N.C.

We're sad that an admitted predator priest is rubbing salt into the wounds of his victims by making yet another desperate legal move to escape responsibility for his heinous crimes by exploiting legal technicalities.

http://m.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/former-priest-convicted-of-rape-is-seeking-post-conviction-relief/article_d08a027a-8e7d-5bfd-ae27-f6f71ecd553c.html?mode=jqm

 For immediate release: Thursday, June 4

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, [email protected])

To help abuse victims and deter cover ups, we call on House speaker John Boehner to take down the portrait of Dennis Hastert in the Capitol.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/243816-hastert-questions-consume-capitol  

For immediate release: Thursday, June 4

For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])

Church staff help sex offender

Victims denounce their letters

Bishop should reprimand pastor, group says

SNAP: “He should visit parish & educate his flock”

At least ten staff, volunteers or members of a Cleveland Catholic church wrote a judge seeking a shorter prison term for a convicted child sex offender who brandished a gun at a police officer. A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Cleveland’s top Catholic official to visit the parish and discipline the pastor.   

For immediate release: Wednesday, June 3

Statement by Mary Caplan of Manhattan, national board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917-439-4187, [email protected])

We’re grateful that Bronx prosecutors are using their bully pulpit to beg possible victims of a rabbi to come forward. At the same time, we’re disappointed in synagogue officials who are selfishly acting timid and callous.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/nyregion/rabbi-rosenblatt-bronx-prosecutors-ask-people-to-come-forward.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news   

For immediate release: Wednesday, June 3

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

A teacher and coach at a Louisville Catholic school is accused of possessing child pornography. We challenge Archbishop Joseph Kurtz to aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered this man’s crimes and help law enforcement more effectively prosecute him.

http://www.lex18.com/story/29225717/louisville-high-school-teacher-faces-federal-child-porn-charges

For immediate release: Tuesday, June 2, 2015

For more information:

David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]

Predator priest from ND passes away

Victims urge Catholic bishops to “do outreach”

“Others may be suffering in shame and silence,” SNAP says

Attorney believes he may have assaulted at  least 100 children

A credibly accused child molesting Catholic priest from North Dakota has passed away and a support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging two bishops to “aggressively reach out” to others he may have hurt.

Last week, Catholic officials at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville Minnesota announced that Fr. Richard Eckroth has died.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/30/st-johns-abbey-priest-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse-dies/

For immediate release Monday, June 1, 2015

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])

We should be grateful, at some level, that the planet’s second most powerful Catholic prelate is threatening legal action against victim of two predator priests.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-32955014

SNAP believes the indictment of ex-House speaker Dennis Hastert can be “a watershed moment” for those molested by teachers, coaches and Scout leaders and “a real chance to prod hundreds who are trapped in hopelessness and depression to get help, prevent abuse and expose wrongdoers.”

SNAP held a press event on Monday, June 1 2015 In front of the Illinois Attorney General’s office calling on three institutions to create dedicated hotlines for adults who were abused in any school, Scouting or athletic program to report the crimes, regardless of when they happened, and to provide information and resources to help those victims.

The following letter has been mailed and hand delivered to the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan: