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).
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”
FL- Missionary pleaded guilty to child porn charges
For immediate release Tuesday, January 4
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A Florida Missionary, Warren Kennell, pleaded guilty last week to two counts of production of child pornography and was sentenced to 58 years in prison. He's part of the Sanford FL-based New Tribes Mission, which has been implicated in other clergy sex abuse cases.
AZ-Ex Mormon bishop arrested
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 3
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
An ex-Mormon bishop faces child sex abuse charges.
http://www.kpho.com/story/24535353/ex-mormon-bishop-accused-of-luring-male-teen
NH- priest pleads guilty to theft; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 3
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The long-time second-in-command of the New Hampshire Catholic diocese, Msgr. Edward Arsenault (he has not been defrocked), is pleading guilty to theft.
OK- Court sides with accused predator priest; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 3
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])
Fr. Paul Eichhoff has been accused at least twice of molesting boys (Kelly Kirk and Paul Weber). Kirk has sued Fr. Eichhoff.
ROME- More vague Vatican abuse 'hopes'
For immediate release: Friday, Jan. 31 2014
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, [email protected])
Today the Pope asked one ancient Vatican bureaucracy to "study" clergy sexual abuse and cooperate with another Vatican body that hasn't even been set up yet.
This isn't progress. It's perhaps the 20th or 30th time that a pope has talked about his hopes and plans about clergy sex crimes and cover ups. But not a single pope has exposed a single predator or a single enabler. Not a single pope has really punished a single complicit bishop. And not a single pope has taken a single effective step to prevent clergy sex crimes or cover ups.
When will the words stop and the action start?
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2014/01/pope-receives-congregation-for-doctrine.html
MT- Another bishop “hides behind” bankruptcy
For immediate release: Friday, Jan. 312014
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])
Helena's Catholic bishop is now seeking bankruptcy protection.
MO- Archdiocese admits rarely calling 911 re: predators
For immediate release Friday, January 31, 2014
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Assistant Midwest Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 974 5003, [email protected])
By their own admission, St. Louis archdiocesan officials admit that only 8% of the child sex abuse reports they received about priests were turned over to police or Division of Family Services.
MN--Three steps archbishop should take right now
For immediate release: Friday, Jan. 31
Statement by Barbara Dorris of SNAP (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]
On Thursday, one of Archbishop John Nienstedt's public relations staffers said "We have continuously made ourselves available to law enforcement to address any outstanding questions they may have. . ."
http://www.archspm.org/news-events/news-detail.php?intResourceID=11669
On Wednesday, St. Paul's police chief said “We have not had the opportunity to speak with Fr. McDonough.” (McDonough is a key figure in this scandal.)
http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_25018830/st-paul-police-have-7-priest-sex-investigations
Ireland--Irish official apologizes for abuse
For immediate release: Thursday, Jan. 30
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])
It was gracious for Enda Kenny to offer and Louise O'Keefe to accept his apology for her suffering.
http://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/2014/01/30/okeeffe-accepts-taoiseachs-apology/
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