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).
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.
AK - Victims challenge Juneau bishop in his new national post
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])
Juneau’s top Catholic official is the new head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Child and Youth Protection.”
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/committee-chairmen-elections
We call on Bishop Edward Burns to take two immediate steps.
PA - Philly archbishop loses his bid for higher office
For immediate: November 12, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
We are grateful that Archbishop Charles Chaput's bid for higher office has failed. He got just 20 out of 236 votes in his bid for the presidency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/usccb-elects-new-president-vice-president
KY - Victims sad about Louisville Catholic archbishop's promotion
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
It’s disappointing that Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz is the new president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. His predecessor, Cardinal Tim Dolan, did a terrible job. We don’t expect Kurtz to do any better.
TX - Houston's top Catholic official wins national post
For immediate release: Nov. 12, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home)
Houston’s Cardinal Daniel DiNardo is the new vice-president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). We believe he’s a terrible choice.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-usa-religion-bishopsconference-idUKBRE9AB03W20131112
Regarding the safety of children, his record in Sioux City was abysmal. His record in Houston shows no improvement.
NY - In reversal, Brooklyn DA pursues case vs. whistleblower
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 appalled that Charles Hynes and Michael Vecchione of the Brooklyn DA’s office are ignoring the recommendations of experienced prosecutors and inexplicably deciding to pursue a case against a brave whistleblower, Sam Kellner.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york-news/chasidic-whistleblower-case-suffers-setback
Vatican - Date set for Catholic officials to appear in Geneva
They will face questions from United Nations panel
But church hierarchy has missed Nov. 1st deadline
They were to answer questions about abuse crisis
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013
Contact: Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, +1 312 399 4747, [email protected]
PA - Victims blast archbishop over latest priest case
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013
Statement by Karen Polesir of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (267-992-9463, [email protected])
A Philly priest, Fr. John P. Paul, says he’s stepping down because of “stress” caused by reports that he molested two kids. And Philly Catholic officials now claim that that they’re investigating and that despite the two allegations, church officials “allowed (him) to remain at (a) parish with restrictions that prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with minors.”
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Priest_resigns_amid_abuse_investigation.html
MN - Archbishop promises partial predator list
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 11, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Archbishop John Neinstedt now says he’ll release a partial list of predator priests.
“If Twin Cities pedophile priests now live in Rochester or Winona or Duluth, tough luck. We’re not gonna tell you who or where they are.”
That’s the message Archbishop John Neinstedt is sending to Minnesota parents. We deliberately use the word “citizens” here and not “parishioners” because child molesting Catholic clerics don’t just hurt Catholic kids. They also sexually assault kids from other denominations, because they’re relatives, they live nearby or for a wide range of reasons.
“If a Twin Cities pedophile priest sexually assaulted you and is now deceased, tough luck. We’re not gonna disclose the names of any deceased predator, no matter how many kids he’s hurt, how recently he died or how egregiously we covered up for him.”
MN - “Worse revelation yet” in MN archdiocese, SNAP says
For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 11, 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])
In a long string of horrific revelations over the past few weeks about clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Twin Cities archdiocese, today’s disclosures may be the worst.
Why are the revelations about Fr. Clarence Vavra potentially the worst yet?
Because he’s an admitted serial pedophile and because he’s never been “outed” until today, so who knows how many more kids he’s been able to sexually assault because Twin Cities Catholic officials continue to act selfishly and secretively.
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