Media Statements

For immediate release: Thursday, February 27, 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])

New lawsuit in Chicago accuses a Christian commune of covering up “rampant” child sexual abuse. 

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014

For more information: Amy Smith, SNAP Dallas Leader (281)748-4050,  [email protected] and David Clohessy, SNAP Executive Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]

Victims applaud abuse seminar

But they urge use of "outside experts"

Church protected predator just two years ago

Aggressive outreach to find victims, witnesses vital to child safety

Convicted minister may have more victims, they fear

For immediate release: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 

For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]

Pedophile priest worked in Nashville 

He was publicly exposed last week for first time

Sex abuse victims seek help from Tennessee bishop

Group blasts “bare minimum” approach by Catholic officials

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014

For more information: David Clohessy (314 566 9790, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])

Victims blast justices for not taking abuse case

Missouri's highest court refuses to hear appeal

Employers of child molesters “get off the hook,” SNAP says

Lower court rulings are “a horrific injustice,” group maintains

SNAP: “When priests abuse 'off premises,' Catholic officials exploit technicality”

For now, Missouri's highest court will not consider overturning a lower court ruling that tossed out a clergy sex abuse case against Catholic officials because a priest's alleged crimes did not happen on church property. 

For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 26

Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-503-0003 [email protected]  

Pope Francis has the right to promote any prelate he likes and to insist that he "start work as soon as possible" in Rome. 

But citizens and Catholics have rights too. They have a right, through their governmental representatives, to question an alleged wrongdoer.

So we call on Pope Francis to reassure Australians today that Cardinal George Pell will be compelled to return to take questions by any panel that is investigating the church's on-going complicity in abuse cases in Australia. That is the least Pope Francis can do, given the great harm that has been done, the suffering that remains and the questions that still need answers.  

For immediate release Tuesday, February 25

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 are grateful that Bob Jones university officials have reversed themselves and will let GRACE complete its report about campus sex crimes.

Still, we're troubled by the school's recent, sudden and unilateral move to cancel the report. We can't help but be worried about university officials' motives and whether they are trying - or may still try - to influence the report itself.  

For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 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 top Southern Baptist official, Richard Land, says that gay couples who use surrogates to have children are essentially committing child abuse. 

For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 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 the Iowa senate unanimously approved an extension to the statute of limitations. We applaud this action. 

For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected]) 

St. Paul Catholic officials are basically defending their wrongdoing by blaming the mother of a child sex abuse victim. Shame on them.

For immediate release: Monday, February 24, 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 Chilean archbishop who is accused of hiding evidence of child sex crimes from civil authorities, was promoted to cardinal this past weekend. We are disappointed Pope Francis did this.