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).
Rome--3 groups write lay panel re Finn’s upcoming ordinations
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 13
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790 ([email protected]) , Anne Barrett Doyle 781-439-5208 ([email protected])
Three groups: Finn should not ordain new priests
Bishop was convicted for not reporting child abuse images
Last month, three years late, prelate finally resigned
But Catholic officials are letting him ordain priests & deacons
Organizations say his “continued visibility hurts parishioners and victims”
Three groups concerned about clergy sex crimes and cover ups are urging a Catholic panel to stop a convicted bishop from ordaining priests and deacons in two ceremonies later this month.
DC--3 groups: Finn should not ordain clerics
Members of the National Lay Review Board
c/o US Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street NE
Washington, DC 20017
Dear Members of the National Lay Review Board:
We are members of three organizations: BishopAccountability.org, the National Survivors Advocate Coalition, and SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are writing you today to express our dismay at the news that Bishop Robert Finn has been given special permission to perform ordinations of new priests and deacons in the Kansas City diocese later this month.
WI--Milwaukee Archdiocese threatens to deplete remaining funds on litigation before compensating victims
Statement by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director (Milwaukee)
CONTACT: 414.429.7259
Whatever the outcome of today’s offer by Federal Judge Lynn Adelman to intervene in the four year old Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy to resolve the issue of former Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s $57 million dollar fraudulently constituted “cemetery trust”, it is yet another unmistakable sign that something has gone terribly wrong or is terribly broken with a court system that allows church lawyers to walk away with millions of dollars in billable hours, leave apparently uninvestigated and unreported dozens of never before identified alleged sex offenders, and keeps under wraps documents and details about how the now most powerful Catholic Prelate in the United States colluded with the Vatican to keep US courts from compensating victims of clergy sex crimes.
MI--Abuse victims: Reform predator-friendly Michigan law
For immediate release: Monday, May 11
NY--Victim of sex abuse honored
For Immediate release Friday, May 08, 2015
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President and Founder;
312-399-4747, [email protected]
Victim of sex abuse honored
He receives prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Philadelphia man exposed infamous priest perpetrator in Chile
Now a US citizen, he heads global communications for a Global Fortune 500
Juan Carlos Cruz, a Philadelphia man who recently became a US citizen, exposed Chilean priest perpetrator, Father Fernando Karadima and is now receiving a 2015 Ellis Island Medal of Honor on Saturday May 9.
KY--Predator priest loses appeal; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, May 6
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
Now that he’s lost his appeal, convicted child molester Fr. James Schook should give it a rest, do his time, stop re-victimizing his victims and let them heal without more desperate, self-serving legal maneuvers.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Appeals-court-upholds-former-priest-s-sex-abuse-6251229.php
Rome--It’s happened again today in Rome.
For immediate release: Friday, May 8, 2015
It’s happened again today in Rome.
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])
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2015/05/08/0348/00772.html
Some Catholic commentators will no doubt herald this latest tweaking as something big. It’s not. Maybe in other realms of church life, policies like this matter. In abuse and cover up cases, they do not.
PA--Group to Sandusky: “Stop torturing your victims”
For immediate release: Thursday, May 7
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
We’re saddened that Jerry Sandusky insists on torturing his victims by continued and callous ‘Hail Mary’ legal filings. He’s partially right: his trial moved quickly. We submit that’s common sense: When a dangerous predator walks free, the justice system should move quickly to get him behind bars where he can’t hurt others.
IL--Notorious Joliet predator priest dies; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, May 7
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A notorious Joliet predator priest, whose case shows continuing recklessness by Catholic bishops about kids’ safety, has passed away.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kentucky/obituary.aspx?n=carroll-howlin&pid=174795423&fhid=16750
KY--Louisville native abused 3 kids, prosecutors say
A prosecutor has disclosed that a now-imprisoned admitted serial child molester who is a Louisville native and worked in Louisville churches abused at least three Louisville kids.
We call on his former church supervisors and colleagues in Louisville at Southeast Christian Church to aggressively seek out others he may have assaulted. And we call on Louisville police to investigate whether any of those church supervisors or colleagues might be charged with ignoring, concealing or enabling his crimes.
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