Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 10

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

In just less than an hour, using simple “Google” searches, we’ve found six predator priests who’ve been in Atlanta but have never been exposed here as credibly accused child molesters. We suspect there are many more of them still “beneath the radar.” We also suspect that some of them have hurt kids here in Georgia and one or more of them may still be here, posing current threats to unsuspecting families, neighbors and co-workers.

For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015

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

In September, Pope Francis will address the US Congress, a body that has refused, over decades, to take a single action to investigate or expose clergy sex abuse and cover up by Catholic priests, bishops, nuns, seminarians and brothers.

Abroad, a number of national or regional governments have conducted investigations and issued reports about this continuing crisis, including Ireland, Australia, Canada and Belgium.

For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 9, 2015

Sex abuse victims blast archbishop

He hid death of notorious LA predator priest

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is blasting Los Angeles’ Catholic archbishop for keeping the death of a notorious serial predator priest secret for months.

Statement by David Clohessy  Executive Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,
Phone: (314) 566-9790,   E-mail: [email protected]

I hate to see hopes raised and then dashed. So at the risk of being the skunk at the garden party, let me make two points about the possibility of “new” church “processes” that allegedly will “ensure accountability” by complicit bishops.

For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 9

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, [email protected])

A controversial German bishop who was quickly ousted by Pope Francis because of his ostentatious spending now has a new church job.

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director, [email protected], (949) 322-7434 cell

We were saddened to hear of the harm caused by Los Angeles priest, Fr. Nicholas Assi, who has been accused of “inappropriate conduct” by an adult woman at American Martyrs Parish in Manhattan Beach.  We applaud this brave woman for reporting to law enforcement, because we understand how difficult it is to report abuse to the police.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley claims a church panel will recommend "methods for measuring compliance" with abuse policies. That’s unnecessary and virtually impossible.

It’s unnecessary because church abuse policies don’t impact church abuse practices. No matter what’s written on paper, in reality, every bishop deals with abuse in whatever way is most convenient and safe for him. That may sound harsh. But that’s what we continue to see after 25 years of work on this crisis.

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/vatican-abuse-commission-recommend-sanctions-non-reporting-bishops

For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 6

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])

There’s an encouraging aspect of the horrific Troy fake kidnapping case that’s worth noting: the system worked.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/family-arrested-in-fake-kidnapping-plot-to-teach--year/article_83691380-bf3c-58de-8792-ebbb210ee0ea.html    

For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 6

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])

The latest church abuse panel, meeting now in Rome, is to “come up with best practices for dioceses and religious orders to implement” (AP) and “propose ways for the church to improve its norms and procedures.” (Catholic News Service).

But if my house is filthy, I don’t need to learn “best cleaning practices.” I just need to start sweeping out the dirt.  

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 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])

We applaud the brave person who is exposing child sex crimes at New Testament Baptist Church. When victims stay silent, predators keep hurting kids and colleagues keep hiding their crimes. But when we find the strength to seek justice in the secular courts, there’s at least a chance for healing, prevention and closure.

http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/pd-sacramento-choir-director-arrested-in-sexual-assault-of-minor/31096708