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).
SD - Predator priest admits molesting SD kids
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 1995, a Catholic priest admitted sexually assaulting several kids on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Yet no Catholic official ever told anyone about him.
VA - Virginia pastor arrested for abusing a child, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
Statement by Becky Ianni of Burke VA, DC area director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (703-801- 6044, [email protected])
Larry Clark, a pastor with Cornerstone Pentecostal Outreach Church in Verona, VA was arrested Thursday for sexually abusing a boy in 2011.
NJ - Prosecutor blasts Newark archbishop
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Prosecutors have reached a highly unusual deal with a Fr. Michael Fugee, a Newark predator priest who was to be kept away from kids by Archbishop John Myers and his staff but was not.
LA - Victims blast bishop for secrecy about predator
For immediate release Friday, November 8, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
An Alexandria predator priest has been ordered to live a "life of prayer and penance."
http://www.diocesealex.org/articles/2013/11/alexandria-priest-imposed-life-prayer-and-penance
Shame on Alexandria Bishop Ronald P. Herzog for issuing perhaps the most vague and unhelpful notice about a child molesting cleric we have seen in years.
IL - Again, Catholic officials refuse to call police, SNAP responds
For immediate release Friday, November 8, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
We are alarmed that Chicago Catholic officials never contacted police, prosecutors or the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services about alleged “sexually explicit photographs” of a girl at a parochial school.
It is stunning that Hales Franciscan High School principal Jeffrey Gray told the Chicago Tribune that "We did not think it was a criminal act because it [was] dealing with minors.” At best, that’s alarmingly wrong-headed. At worst, it’s a lie.
Vatican seems to miss deadline
Catholic officials apparently ignore request
UN panel seeks info about crimes & cover ups
Hierarchy was supposed to reply by Nov. 1
Victims blast top church staff for “stonewalling”
“Again, prelates thumb their noses at secular authorities,” SNAP says
For immediate release: Friday, November 8, 2013
For more information: Barbara Blaine (+1-312-399-4747, [email protected])
MO - More secrecy & delay by Finn in new clergy sex case
For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 7, 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])
A cleric at a Kansas City Catholic school has been fired allegedly because of one 'suspicious' and sexual picture on a school computer, church officials say. We are troubled and skeptical.
http://fox4kc.com/2013/11/07/kc-catholic-school-leader-fired-over-suspicious-photos-on-computer/
Again, Bishop Robert Finn and his staff delayed in telling police and the public about the disturbing photo.
KY - Predator priest can stand trial; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 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 relieved and grateful that Fr. Shook will be brought to justice. For far too long in far too many cases, Catholic officials who commit and conceal child sex crimes succeed in “running out the clock” and escaping responsibility for their reckless, callous and deceitful crimes.
NY - Catholic female teacher accused of rape; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Statement by Steve Theisen of Hudson IA, board chair of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (319 231 1663, [email protected])
A Westchester Catholic school teacher is accused of raping a 14 year old boy.
While any child sex abuse is horrific, it’s even harder when women sexually violate boys. I know. I was sexually abused as a youngster by a Catholic nun.
GA - Priest who worked in Atlanta area is accused; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 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])
Catholic officials in Baltimore and Springfield MA are disclosing credible child sex abuse allegations against Fr. Michael Kolodziej who belongs to a religious order called the Franciscans and who worked at St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, GA from 2010 until his recent suspension.
We urge Archbishop Wilton Gregory to post notices about Fr. Michael Kolodziej read at all Atlanta archdiocesan parishes.
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