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).
FL--Victims urge others hurt by doctor to come forward
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
A Delray Beach doctor who faces both criminal and civil cases accusing him of molesting patients also worked in the Tampa/St. Pete area.
Canada--Archbishop is “deceiving flock” group says
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19, 2015
For more information: Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175 cell, [email protected]), Cappy Larson (415-637-2006 cell, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
Archbishop is “deceiving flock” group says
He’s been ousted and convicted of child sex crimes
Yet he’s started deceptive new website hiding those facts
SNAP: “Church officials should denounce him and warn congregants”
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Canadian Orthodox Church officials to order an archbishop who was convicted of child sex crimes to take down a deceptive new website. They are also begging them to publicly denounce the predator and warn their flocks about him.
MO--First Catholic official calls for Bishop Finn’s removal
For immediate release: Thursday, March 19
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
A member of Pope Francis’ new child sex abuse panel is calling for the removal of Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn. It’s the first time a Catholic official is publicly and explicitly pushing for Finn’s ouster.
CT--Victims want more outreach re CT predator priest
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 18
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
A new civil lawsuit charges that a priest abused a child and that Catholic officials could and should have prevented the crimes.
http://blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2015/03/18/sixth-sex-abuse-lawsuit-filed-against-priest/
MI--Ex-Saginaw priest convicted of child sex crimes
For immediate release: Wednesday, March 18
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
A Saginaw native and ex-Greek Orthodox priest has been found guilty of sexual abuse in Maine, some 30 years after having committed similar crimes in Michigan. We’re grateful that he’s been caught but now the focus shifts to his church former colleagues and supervisors in Michigan and Maine.
http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3929bebf-www.wgme.com.shtml#.VQh0M454piE
Victims pan first years of Francis papacy
For immediate release: Friday, March 13
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, SNAPdor[email protected])
As Francis enters the third year of his papacy, to many, his most memorable quote was “Who am I to judge?”
To abuse victims, however, his most memorable quote was “the Church is the only (institution) to have been attacked” over child sex crimes and cover ups. (He said this a year ago.)
Canada, NY—In the face of pleas for Orthodox synod to ignore their sex abuse policy, victims’ group urges leaders to stand firm
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Statement by Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
A group of die-hard supporters of an Orthodox archbishop convicted of child sexual abuse are urging a synod of Orthodox bishops to ignore their sex abuse policy.
http://archbishopseraphim.org/Letter%20to%20Metropolitan%20Tikhon
Canada, NY--Clergy sex abuse victims call on Orthodox synod to defrock archbishop at their spring meeting
For immediate release: Monday, March 16, 2015
Statement by Melanie Sakoda of Moraga CA, Orthodox Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (925-708-6175, [email protected])
The synod of bishops of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will be meeting in Syosset, New York, from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20, 2015.
http://oca.org/news/headline-news/holy-synod-spring-session-opens-march-17
ME -- Victims urge Maine church officials to act in abuse case
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17
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 grateful that a judge has found an ex-Greek Orthodox priest guilty of sexual abuse. Now the focus shifts to his church former colleagues and supervisors.
http://www.wgme.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.me/3929bebf-www.wgme.com.shtml#.VQh0M454piE
These church officials have a moral and civic duty to aggressively reach out now to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by Adam Metropoulos or cover ups by his ex-colleagues or superiors.
PA -- Victims blast Penn State over frat photos
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 17
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
For years now, Penn State enthusiasts have repeatedly reassured everyone who’d listen that the university’s problematic culture about sex crimes had been “reformed.” The latest allegations – that a fraternity members posted nude pictures of women on Facebook, some of whom appeared to be sleeping or passed out – raise serious doubts about those claims.
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