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 - Pope essentially rebuffs UN panel
For immediate release: Tuesday December 3, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
The Vatican is ducking and dodging a United Nations panel’s request for information about the churches ongoing clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis.
http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/12/vatican-ducks-questions-from-un-on-the-worldwide-child-abuse-in-catholic-institutions
On clergy sex crimes and cover ups, Pope Francis breaks no new ground. Like Benedict and John Paul before him, he parses words, splits hairs, hides information, and exploits legalistic technicalities.
USA - Supreme Court to evaluate liability for viewers of child porn; SNAP responds
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
The US Supreme Court will soon hear an unusual child pornography case. We disagree with the Justice Department when they say $3.4 million is too much to award to a victim of this heinous crime. Given how widespread and devastating child sex crimes are, and how tough it is to catch and convict predators, we as a society must do more to deter these crimes in the first place.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/us/evaluating-the-liability-of-viewers-of-child-pornography.html
It’s important to remember that sexual violence is often used in the making of these images. Kids are often raped and sodomized – sometimes violently and always hurtfully- to make these photos.
MN - Judge orders accused priests’ names released; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 2, 2013
Statement by Megan Peterson, Twin Cities SNAP leader, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (218-684-0073 cell, [email protected])
A Minnesota judge is ordering two Catholic bishops to reveal names of accused predator priests. Kids will be safer as a result. But it should never take a court order to force Catholic officials to disclose the names of potentially dangerous child molesting clerics.
These names won’t include all of the alleged predator priests in these two dioceses. We suspect that records have been destroyed and that abuse reports against dozens of credibly accused clerics have been wrongly deemed “unsubstantiated” by self-serving Catholic officials over the past few decades.
MO - Abusive Baptist preacher goes on trial; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 2, 2013
David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
At least four girls say Rev. Travis Smith of Stover (near Jefferson City) molested them. Smith goes on trial today. We hope his victims get justice and we hope Smith is convicted and imprisoned so that kids will be safer.
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=978162#.UpyPe8RDuDp
MO - Victim appeals “bizarre” ruling
It involves KC Catholic officials & priest
Church says it’s not responsible for crimes
Their rationale: abuse happened on private property
SNAP: “It’s perhaps the worst legal tactic by bishop ever”
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013
For more info: David Clohessy (314 566 9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314 503 0003, [email protected])
AZ- Brewer should release money for child investigations
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 26
David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We are horrified that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is stalling on more funds to investigate some 6,000 suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
Vatican - More Vatican governance promises that ignore the church’s central crisis
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013
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])
Today, there are more headlines from the Vatican about self-governance. But there’s still no action from the Vatican on clergy abuse.
It’s more minimal tinkering around the edges instead of directly confronting the most devastating scandal in the church: widespread and horrific crimes against kids being concealed and enabled by bishops.
IL - Lawsuits settle but victims’ group wants more to be done
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013
Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits involving eight Chicago predator priests have been settled. They are Father Robert Mayer, Father Robert Becker, Father Ralph Strand, Father Ken Ruge, Father Joseph Fitzharris, Father Robert Stepek, Father Marion Snieg and Father Daniel McCormack.
We suspect that much of the attention on this settlement will be on Fr. McCormack, Illinois’ most high profile serial predator priest. While McCormack is behind bars, several of these child molesting clerics are walking free, likely living near unsuspecting neighbors or working among unsuspecting colleagues or volunteering at unsuspecting non-profits and perhaps even molesting unsuspecting relatives’ children.
For the safety of kids these predators belong behind bars. But they won’t get there unless people speak up.
NJ - Accused NJ serial predator priest wants trial
NJ predator priest seeks trial
He admitted molesting in Jersey City
Now, he’s accused of abusing 3 in Missouri
Cleric changed his name before being sent away
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013
For more information: Mark Crawford 732 632 7687, [email protected], David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected])
OH - More charges in Steubenville rape case; Victims group responds
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 25, 2013
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Midwest Associate Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (636-433-2511, [email protected])
We are grateful that these charges have been filed and believe they will help deter other cover ups in the future.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/justice/ohio-steubenville-rape-case/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
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