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- Whistleblowers ask Pope to discipline Bishop Finn
For immediate release: Saturday, Feb. 15, 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 Catholic priest, nun and parishioners have filed formal charges with the church headquarters in Rome against Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn for his illegal and hurtful recklessness, callousness and deceit in the horrific case of a serial predator priest.
MN- Archbishop reverses himself & tries again to block disclosures
For immediate release: Friday, Feb. 14, 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 Archbishop John Nienstedt is inflicting emotional whiplash on abuse victims and concerned Catholics.
IL- Lawsuit alleges negligence by church officials, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, February 14, 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])
Two lawsuits against a church volunteer for child sexual abuse also claim that officials at Willow Creek Community Church were negligent.
MO- Catholic officials lose 2 court rulings
For immediate release: Thursday, February 13, 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])
Over the past two weeks, St. Louis Catholic officials have lost important court rulings in two similar but unrelated wrongful death lawsuits stemming from alleged clergy sex crimes.
SC- Bob Jones victims should call police, group says
For immediate release: Friday, February 14, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])
We are glad talks are resuming between Bob Jones University officials and GRACE, the non-profit that is looking at sex crimes at the school.
IL- Child molesting deacon charged, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, February 13, 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 a serial child molesting deacon at Fairview Heights' First Baptist Church has been caught and charged. But it's disingenuous for the minister to distance himself from the offender and call the offender a member instead of a deacon.
Poland- SNAP applauds Polish Catholic Church for creating child sex abuse procedure
For immediate release: Thursday, February 13, 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])
We are encouraged that the Catholic Church in Poland is publishing procedures for child sex abuse. This is a good first step that many churches across the globe have already enacted.
MN- Victims respond to St. Paul Catholic $$$ disclosure
For immediate release Thursday, February 13, 2014
Statement by Frank Meuers of Plymouth MN, leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (952-334-5180, [email protected])
The Archdiocese of Minneapolis admits to having spent $8.8 million over the past decade on costs related to clergy misconduct. We suspect this is misleading. We suspect the real figure is significantly higher.
TX- Ex-pastor gets jail for “sexting” teen, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, February 13, 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 Garland, TX youth pastor was sentenced on Wednesday for sending lewd text messages and photos to a teenage girl.
SD- SNAP applauds new abuse task force
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 12, 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 South Dakota senate committee approved of a new child sex abuse task force. We are glad that this first step has been taken to make South Dakota children safer and we encourage legislatures to not stop there.