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).
Vatican attacks UN panel
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Inadvertently, by their comments over the past few hours, Vatican officials are essentially proving what a UN panel has concluded: that the Catholic hierarchy is not reforming its handling of clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
Cardinal should release 35 priest files now
For immediate release - Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Statement by Kate Bochte, SNAP member (630 768 1860, [email protected])
It took almost nine years - and dozens of lawsuits - to get records on 30 archdiocesan predator priests released by the Chicago archdiocese.
That's fewer than half of the 65 predator priests George admits to, and less than one fourth of the 121 predator priests listed by an independent group called BishopAccountability.org.
Vatican- Vatican responds to scathing abuse report, SNAP reacts
For immediate release Wednesday, February 05, 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])
Yet again, as they've done for decades, today embattled Catholic officials make more promises about children – specifically, to “study” a new UN panel's report. But their words contradict reality. They've made similar promises for years. Almost always, they refuse to keep these promises.
Geneva- Second statement by clergy abuse victims regarding UN report
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014
Statement by Peter Isely of Milwaukee, board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (414-429-7259, [email protected])
It's utterly tragic that a respected international panel of experts feels, in 2014, compelled to tell Catholic officials that they must “Immediately remove all known and suspected child sexual abusers from assignment and refer the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution.”
Geneva- UN issues “devastating” report on Catholic clergy scandal; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
A UN panel has issued a report on how the Vatican handles clergy sexual abuse and cover up. The AP calls the report “devastating.” Reuters calls it “scathing.” We call it “on target.”
Geneva--UN panel to issue report on clergy abuse
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 4 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Tomorrow, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern time, a United Nations panel in Geneva is expected to release a formal report on whether Vatican officials are complying with a treaty on children's rights.
It will likely be posted here:
And here: http://ccrjustice.org/ and here http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx
MA- Boston area priest removed, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 4
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Fr. Joseph Byrne, a Boston area priest, has been suspended. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Fr. Byrne has been removed. Now is not the time for complacency.
CA- Accused Santa Rosa predator priest passes; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014
For more information: Joelle Casteix 949 322 7434, [email protected],
David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected]
Accused pedophile priest has passed away
Cleric unsuccessfully sued a victim for slander
She received more than $1 million in settlement
Yet Catholic officials still kept him in a parish for years
MN- Catholic deposition blocked; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 4
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 Minnesota judge blocked the release of a deposition and transcript of an accused predator priest named Fr. Gilbert Allen Tarlton (a.k.a Allen Tarlton or Allen Berry).
MD- Priest who headed MD center admits felonies
For immediate release: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014
Ex head of MD center pleads guilty
Catholic priest stole from three sources
He headed facility for sexually troubled clerics
And he himself is accused of “inappropriate relationship”
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