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).
MO-- KC Catholic official lies about lawsuit, SNAP says
For immediate release: Sunday, May 31
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The Kansas City Archdiocese’s school superintendent claims she hasn’t read a copy of a lawsuit against her that was filed at least two weeks ago. We think she’s lying.
http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article22711563.html
IL- SNAP urges five steps in Dennis Hastert controversy
For immediate release Saturday May 30, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
We’re here today to plead with a number of individuals and institutions to take action about Dennis Hastert.
But first, we want to say THANK YOU to the brave victims of Hastert who are cooperating with law enforcement. In child sex cases, when victims, witnesses and whistleblowers stay silent – everyone suffers, except of course those who commit or conceal these heinous crimes. But when victims, witnesses and whistleblowers speak up, call police, help prosecutors, file lawsuits and expose wrongdoers, wrongdoing is prevented and kids are spared.
IN--Group warns: Praising Hastert may silence other victims
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by Joelle Casteix of SNAP (949 322 7434, [email protected])
I was abused in high school by a popular teacher, Thomas Hodgman (who teaches now at Adrian College in Michigan).
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2005_05_20_Erb_AdrianCollege.htm
IL--Group urges outreach to other Hastert victims
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Let's not sugar-coat what former House speaker Dennis Hastert did. If it involves a student, it was sexual abuse. It wasn't "a relationship." It wasn't "misconduct." It was a hurtful and illegal abuse of power by an influential, popular teacher over a vulnerable youngster.
TX--Accused Notre Dame predator priest still on the job; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Catholic officials are putting innocent children at risk by keeping an accused predator priest on the job even though he was sued for child sex abuse more last week ago.
We demand that staff at Notre Dame, the Ft. Wayne diocese and the San Antonio diocese suspend him immediately. They are acting recklessly and callously and are breaking the US bishops’ child sex abuse policy.
TX--Dallas church apologizes to wife of sex offender; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, May 29
Statement by Amy Smith, Dallas co-leader of SNAP (281-748-4050, [email protected])
An officials at a large Dallas church says he’ll apologize on Sunday to a woman whose mistreatment by church officials has generated a firestorm of protest. We’re not impressed by the pastor’s promises.
POLAND/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC- Polish official visits Dominican Republic to discuss alleged sex crimes by Archbishop Józef Wesołowski
For immediate release: Friday, May 29, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
We are grateful that a Polish official has gone to the Dominican Republic to discuss alleged child sex crimes by Polish Catholic clerics. We hope the trip results in secular criminal charges against one cleric and more charges against the other.
MO--Protestant whistleblower quits at college; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, May 28
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Bible college professor has quit his job over a clergy sex abuse and cover up case. It’s heart-breaking.
OH--Priest helps sex offender; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 27
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We are grateful that Nordonia Hills school board president James Virost resigned today and we hope that Fr. Ralph Wiatrowsky of St. Barnabas will soon be disciplined. Both men wrote a judge essentially urging a lighter sentence for a convicted child sex offender (former Nordonia Hills school board President Steve Bittel). They should be ashamed of themselves.
MN--Predator priest passes away
For immediate release: Thursday, May 28
Statement by Verne Wagner of Duluth, Northeast MN SNAP director (218- 340-1277, [email protected])
We are glad that a predator priest has passed away and can no longer hurt kids. We’re glad too that his victims can hopefully sleep better at night knowing that he can’t assault any more children.
http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/news/obituary-fr-richard-william-eckroth-osb/
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