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).
MO - Victims applaud judge's ruling on disclosure
For immediate release, Friday November 15, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
We are grateful that today, Judge Dierker is largely standing by his earlier ruling and is insisting that archdiocesan officials turn over records about child molesting priests, nuns, deacons, teachers, brothers and other church employees.
Our understanding is that Archbishop Robert Carlson has 30 days to comply with the judge's order.
IL - Chicago Jesuit is accused of molesting in Michigan
For immediate release, Friday November 15, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
The Chicago Jesuit hierarchy is handling the new case of credible child sex abuse allegations against a priest who molested a Michigan boy.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=971914#.UoZV3PmUSn9
The Marquette Michigan diocese says it has received and deemed credible an accusation that Father Bernard (“Fr. Ben”) Van der molested a boy in 1989 while substituting for a vacationing Marquette priest.
MN - Nienstedt hires another Catholic figure; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 14, 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])
Embattled Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt has hand-picked another bureaucrat to help him cling to and repair his damaged reputation. She’s Kathleen McChesney, who was hired by America’s bishops to head their new Office of Child Protection a decade ago.
McChesney is the quintessential bureaucrat, unwilling to challenge corruption and anxious to please her bosses. She was no ‘profile in courage’ when she helped US bishops out of a jam a decade ago. We doubt she will be now.
MO - Archdiocese in court Friday, seeks to limit discovery
Archbishop wants to give less info to victim
Carlson’s lawyers will try tomorrow to limit judge’s ruling
Case involves convicted predator priest who abused in 2000
Catholic officials have been ordered to turn over 20 years of records
The documents would cover child sex abuse allegations vs. all church employees
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
MD - Priest, accused of abuse in Baltimore, gets “off the hook"
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A credibly accused predator priest who spent time at three institutions in Baltimore and is accused of molesting in Maryland got “off the hook” yesterday when a court ruling ended a lawsuit against him and his church supervisors.
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/12/news/augusta/supreme-court-rules-against-augusta-man-in-his-suit-against-diocese-over-priest-abuse/
Fr. Raymond P. Melville worked at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Locust Point (1980 to 1984), the University of Maryland Hospital (1982 to 1983), and attended the University of Baltimore and St. Mary's Seminary (1979 to 1985). Fr. Melville’s been accused of abusing while at the seminary (as well as in Maine).
MO- Victims blast Catholic officials over new ruling
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 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])
An appeals court says a clergy sex abuse and cover up suit against a Kansas City Catholic bishop and priest must be tossed out because the alleged crimes did not happen directly on church property.
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/12/4616191/missouri-appeals-court-affirms.html
Congratulations again to Bishop Robert Finn for successfully finding and using another legal loophole to keep the cover ups of Fr. Michael Tierney's crimes covered up.
SD - Law enforcement opens probe into SD predator priest
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 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 South Dakota law enforcement officials are doing what Minnesota and South Dakota Catholic officials refuse to do – taking seriously the admitted child sex crimes of Fr. Clarence Vavra.
Today, Minnesota Public Radio reports that an investigation has been opened “into alleged sexual abuse of children by a Minnesota priest” who admitted molesting kids on a reservation in South Dakota.
MO - While KC porn-hider sits with them, US bishops to opine on porn
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 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])
While a bishop convicted of hiding child pornography sits among them, today America’s bishops voted to write a formal statement on pornography.
The child pornography - hundreds of photos - belonged to a Catholic priest. Many of the photos were of young girls from Catholic parishes and were taken by the priest.
USA-Bishops to opine on porn while convicted porn-hider sits among them
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 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])
While a bishop convicted of hiding child pornography sits among them, today America’s bishops voted to write a formal statement on pornography.
The child pornography - hundreds of photos - belonged to a Catholic priest. Many of the photos were of young girls from Catholic parishes and were taken by the priest.
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/06/3800269/bishop-finn-verdict-guilty.html
ME - Clergy abuse case v. Maine diocese loses; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A clergy sex abuse victim has lost his bid to expose Maine Catholic officials who have ignored and concealed the heinous crimes of a predator priest.
Our hearts ache for William Picher. Despite his betrayal – first, by a predator priest and later, by that priest’s complicit colleagues – Picher is being denied a right guaranteed to most crime victims: his day in court.
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