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- Former principle charged with sexual abuse
For immediate release: Friday, March 7, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A former principal of a Collinsville Christian Academy has been charged with attempted sexual assault. We want school officials to aggressively reach out to any other victims.
NC- Pastor accused of sexual assault, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, March 7, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
A North Carolina pastor, who was working in South Carolina, has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. He is already listed on the sexual offender registry in North Carolina. We are disturbed that a registered sex offender was allowed to work as the pastor of a church.
NY- Charges dropped vs. clergy sex whistleblower; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, March 7, 2014
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 thrilled but not surprised at a Brooklyn prosecutor's decision to drop charges against a whistleblower in a clergy sex abuse case.
Canada- Victims blast Catholic officials' apology
For immediate release: Friday, March 07, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Church abuse apologies are virtually meaningless. Whether long or short, clear or vague, prompt or delayed, they don't protect a single child, expose a single predator or uncover a single cover up.
LA- Victims seek bishop's help
For immediate release: Friday, March 7, 2014
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
Victims seek bishop's help
Predator priest was sued twice for abuse
He allegedly sexually assaulted two kids in Louisiana
Group wants Catholic officials to reach out to victims
“Prelates should warn unsuspecting families about him,” SNAP says
A now retired priest was sued twice for molesting kids in Louisiana was “outed” in Florida last week.
NY- Female Catholic teacher rapes boy; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, March 7, 2014
Statement by Mary Caplan of New York City, SNAP Leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])
A female Catholic school religion teacher in the New York Archdiocese has pled guilty to raping a boy. Now, archdiocesan staff, under Cardinal Tim Dolan, must launch an aggressive public drive to find others who may have seen, suspected or suffered her crimes. And authorities must treat this criminal just like a male sex offender, with no special treatment.
RI- Case against scandal-ridden Catholic group goes forward
For immediate release: Thursday, March 06, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected])
We are grateful that a lawsuit against the scandal-ridden Catholic Legion of Christ will move ahead.
CHILE- Victims reject proposed settlement from archdiocese
For immediate release: Thursday, March 6, 2014
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]
SNAP applauds the courage of survivors Juan Carlos Cruz, James Hamilton and Andrés Murillo who rejected the proposed settlement from the Archbishop of Santiago, Chile.
Rome- Pope's “pain” for “falsely accused” priests is scrubbed? SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, March 6, 2014
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])
In a little-noticed talk with some Italian priests yesterday, Pope Francis offered tender words for clerics he calls “falsely accused” of abuse (according to Gazzetta del Sud). But those sympathetic words are apparently left out (and replaced by ellipses) in the official version of his talk in four summaries or official versions of the speech that are accessible from the Vatican's website. (See below.)
Rome- Pope “shares the pain” of wrongly accused priests; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, March 6, 2014
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])
A newspaper in southern Italy reports that Pope Francis told a group of priests he considers “falsely accused” that he “shares their pain.”