Media Statements

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 25, 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 police are investigating alleged child sex crimes in a Philly Catholic school.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131126_Roman_Catholic_High_athletic_director_investigated.html

In these situations, it’s sometimes tempting for victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to contact school or church officials. That’s wrong. The independent and unbiased professionals in law enforcement should be contacted, not the biased amateurs in church or school offices.

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 25

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 defrocked Catholic priest, who admitted molesting in New Jersey and is accused of molesting several boys in mid-Missouri, wants to go to trial.

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=976083#.UpPJC8SUSn9

We welcome this move. We have tremendous confidence in the three brave men who have reported being abused by Fr. Gerry Howard in Boonville. We hope that the judge also lets into evidence Howard’s guilty plea in New Jersey.

For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 22, 2013

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Two Nebraska predator priests have been disciplined by the Vatican.

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Church-Investigation-Finds-Priests-Guilty-Of-Sexually-Abusing-Minors-233026241.html?ref=241

We strongly urge Archbishop George Lucas to submit the evidence used in the church investigation to secular authorities so that  Fr. Alfred Salanitro and Fr. Franklin Dvorak might be criminally charged, convicted and kept away from kids, instead of just being  removed from ministry. 

He allegedly shared porn with children

Wisconsin police are investigating the case

And Catholic officials say it could be a felony

Victims group calls for outreach to “victims, witnesses & whistleblowers”

For immediate release: Thursday Nov 21, 2013

For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]

For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki often seeks the media limelight to trumpet his views loudly (like with today’s exorcism). But he still quietly sits on child sex abuse allegations for weeks.

In September, Paprocki let a priest who’s accused of child sex crimes temporarily resign, instead of suspending him. Before that, however, Paprocki kept the allegations secret for weeks, giving the accused predator plenty of time to destroy evidence, intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, discredit whistleblowers, fabricate alibis and even flee the country. 

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 19 2013

Statement by Minnesota SNAP leader Megan Peterson (218-689-9049, [email protected])

We are glad Father Mark Huberty faces criminal charges for sexually exploiting a parishioner. It’s virtually always hurtful – and often illegal – for clerics to have any sexual contact with a congregant.

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

Msgr. Michael F. Olson has been named the bishop of the Ft. Worth Catholic diocese.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/19/5350106/pope-names-new-bishop-for-fort.html

We are glad every time a newly named bishop comes from outside a chancery office. Olson is no “outsider.” But we are encouraged because his last position wasn’t inside a diocesan headquarters.

For immediate release: Tuesday November 19, 2013
 
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
 
An unusual new clergy child sex abuse and cover up suit charges that a Catholic facility is negligent for enabling predator priests to be put back on the job, sometimes even after the clerics admit to sexually assaulting kids. We applaud this novel approach. Kids are safer when all institutions the protect pedophiles are held responsible, not just the sex offenders’ direct supervisors.
 
http://www.andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1674/Media-Advisory-Saint-Luke-Institute-Father-Francis-Hoefgen-Named-in-Sexual-Abuse-Lawsuit-.aspx
 
This is the second time in a week that a Twin Cities area predator priest who admitted molesting kids and was put back on the job is in the news. (The other: Fr. Clarence Vavra)

For immediate release: Tuesday November 19, 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 worried that some victims of child sex crimes will be even more afraid to report predators in light of the damage award in the recent case involving a Catholic school teacher.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Jury-Girls-Parents-Liable-For-Calling-Catholic-Teacher-as-Perv-232338691.html

It's extremely tough for men, women and kids who were sexually assaulted as children to speak up, get help, expose wrongdoers, protect others and start healing. Most victims never tell of the horror they endured. So most predators are never charged, convicted or jailed. And so the horrific cycle of violence and pain continues, and millions of children's lives are shattered every year.

Two local Catholic bishops should do “outreach,” victims say

Accused in two states, they fear he may have hurt OK kids too

A jury awarded one of his victims $4 million but cleric has paid little

For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013

For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])