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).
MN - Duluth predator priests names released; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday December 31, 2013
Statement by Verne Wagner, Northeast MN director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), 218-340-1277,[email protected]
We are glad that Bishop Sirba is releasing the names of credibly accused priests here in the Northland. Kids are safer every time a child molester is exposed. Having more names of predator priests in the news today in Duluth is a first step in transparency, outreach to victims and support for them. But this is a first step, and we hope Bishop Sirba will open and release files and documents that tell where and when alleged abuse took place, and the actions that the Bishops did or didn’t take. With the release of these predator priests, we also hope the bishop includes photos of these clerics as well as their history.
TX-Amarillo priest convicted
For immediate release Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 cell ([email protected])
We are grateful that Fr. John Salazar (also known as Fr. John Salazar Jimenez) pleaded guilty in Texas to a molestation of a child in Tulia, Texas. It is the fourth time that Salazar has faced criminal charges. He was convicted twice and served time in prison.
PA - Lynn released; abuse victims respond
For immediate release: Monday December 30, 2013
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 grateful that Msgr. Lynn spent months locked up and hope he will again. We are disappointed that he's been freed and we hope he will not flee the country or take any further steps now to help child molesting clerics in any way.
PA - Victims want Catholic official to stay locked up
Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
For immediate release: Monday December 30, 2013
We support DA Seth Williams' effort to keep Msgr. William Lynn behind bars for now. We too worry that he might flee overseas, like hundreds of predator priests - and several corrupt church officials - already have. Why take the risk that a complicit Catholic cleric might escape justice?
PA - Catholic official's conviction overturned
Statement by Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
For immediate release: Thursday, December 26, 2013
Once again, another high-ranking Catholic official who repeatedly endangered kids and enabled predators is escaping punishment.
We are heart-sick over this decision and we applaud prosecutors for appealing it. We know thousands of betrayed Catholics and wounded victims will be disheartened by this news.
MN - More MN predator priests named; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 20, 2013
Statement by Frank Meuers, Minnesota SNAP leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (Phone: 952-334-5180 Email: [email protected])
Today, like yesterday, Minnesota citizens and Catholics learned the names of accused predator priests. And today, like yesterday, the information was made public by responsible news outlets, not by church officials.
Minnesota parents and parishioners should thank the Star-Tribune for revealing Fr. Ambrose Filbin and Fr. Harold Whittet are accused of sexual misconduct and Minnesota Public Radio for revealing that Fr. Harry Walsh is a credibly accused child molester.
TX - Victims urge bishop to act
Predator priest now lives in Dallas
Catholic officials say he's "credibly accused"
He was "outed" for first time last week in Minnesota
And he supposedly faces a church defrocking trial this month
For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 20, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
MI - Victims harshly blast Detroit Catholic officials on abuse
For immediate release Thursday, December 19, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
Yesterday, Archbishop Allen Vigneron’s public relations mouthpiece admitted that three times, a brave victim urged Detroit Catholic officials to take action against the priest who molested her but was still on the job.
The third time, Detroit Catholic officials took action: they offered her therapy.
That is incredibly irresponsible.
IL - Predator priest is teaching sex ed
He worked in at least 1 Chicago parish
But several bishops hid abuse allegations
SNAP: Catholic officials still “endanger kids”
Their “continued secrecy” violates church policies
Those who “saw, suspected or suffered abuse must speak up,” group says
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected], Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President (312) 399-4747, [email protected]
IA - Predator priest is teaching sex ed
He worked in Davenport parish
But bishops told no one about him
SNAP: Catholic officials still “endanger kids”
Their “continued secrecy” violates church policies
Those who “saw, suspected or suffered abuse must speak up,” group says
For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
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