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).
IL- Release of Joliet predator priest records, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
People often ask why we are here today. We are here because once again brave survivors have put aside their pain, put away their desire for privacy and stepped forward to protect children and reach out to others who have been hurt. They have had the wisdom to work with civil authorities and the persistence to demand the release of these documents which we believe will not only detail horrific abuse but will also reveal what church officials have done to enable, shield and protect these predators.
HI- Victims glad for extension to SOL, but more action is needed
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 8627688, [email protected])
Yesterday Hawaii lawmakers approved a bill that would give child sex victims more time to expose predators and seek justice in civil courts. They also approved legislation giving prosecutors unlimited time to file criminal charges against child predators. We applaud this action.
IL- Pastor on leave during investigation, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 8627688, [email protected])
An Illinois pastor is on leave during an investigation into his conduct. We are glad he has stepped aside and hope that the investigation is thorough and any relevant findings are turned over to secular authorities.
Rome- New Vatican panel must hold hearings and denounce bishops
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (European cell +39 366 1160224, U.S. cell +1 312 399 4747, Rome hotel- +39 06 598591; [email protected])
If Pope Francis' new abuse study panel is to be effective and seem credible, it must act quickly. After all, Catholic officials have dealt with clergy sexual violence privately for centuries and publicly for decades, yet painfully little reform has happened or is happening. And clergy sex crimes and cover ups keep happening while predator priests are being protected, moved and kept on the job.
PA- Penn State alums should donate to abuse groups
For immediate release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 [email protected])
Penn State alums plan to raise $300,000 for a new statue of Joe Paterno. We oppose this callous move. But if they proceed, we challenge them to raise an additional $300,000 and donate it to groups that prevent child abuse and help victims.
MO- Predator priest passes away
For immediate release: Monday, April 28, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003, [email protected])
Fr. Robert R. Osborne has passed away. We are grateful he can’t hurt another child ever again. We sympathize with Osborne’s family and for the Catholic parishioners who felt close to him, but we hope his passing will help his victims find healing.
MS-Victims want review of MS Baptist church
For immediate release: Monday, April 28, 2014
For more info: Amy Smith, SNAP leader Texas, 281-748-4050, [email protected]
David Clohessy, Executive Director, SNAP, 314-566-9790, [email protected]
Survivors urge outside review of Baptist church
State lawmaker implicated in cover-up
Convicted music minister may have molested more kids, group fears
"Awareness training" not enough, group says
Transparency and action keep kids safe, they urge
On the eve of a church "sexual abuse awareness training,” a clergy abuse survivors’ group is asking church officials to take a hard look at their own failures in connection with a clergy sex abuse and cover-up scandal.
Rome- Francis should extradite Polish archbishop or reverse himself
Statement by SNAP leader Miguel Hurtado of the U.K/Spain
(outside the Vatican today in Rome) +44 7787 638245
One Polish Catholic official is a soon-to-be saint. A second one, however, is a fugitive.
When John Paul II celebrations wind down on Monday, we call on Francis to extradite Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski to Polish law enforcement authorities who want to charge him with sexually assaulting kids in the Dominican Republic.
Three months ago, The Tablet reported that “The Holy See said that Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was a citizen of the Vatican, and that Vatican law did not allow for his extradition.”
PA- Priest sentenced in child porn case
For immediate release: Friday, April 25, 2014
Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511, [email protected]
Our hearts break for the brother and family of the victim of Fr. David F. Dzermejko. Thankfully he will be in jail and kept away from kids for a while but not long enough.
Netherlands- Another Dutch Bishop found guilty of abusing minors
For immediate release: Friday, April 25, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
A commission investigating the sexual abuse scandal in the Dutch Catholic Church have confirmed that a second bishop is guilty of abusing children. We are grateful for this revelation, but worried this wasn’t revealed when it was first confirmed.
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