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).
MA - Priest who worked in Springfield 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])
We are grateful that Springfield Catholic officials are disclosing credible child sex abuse allegations against Fr. Michael Kolodziej who belongs to a religious order called the Franciscans and who worked in Chicopee.
Far too often, bishops let religious order clerics into their dioceses but suddenly pretend they have no responsibility for them when they assault kids.
CO - Victims praise prosecutors in Boulder church abuse case
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
We are deeply grateful to Boulder authorities for charging two church staff and two church officials with “duty to report child abuse.”
http://www.9news.com/news/article/363148/339/PD-Church-officials-delayed-reporting-sex-assault
All too often, church employees and members selfishly try to handle known or suspected child sex crimes privately. All too often, they foolishly put the reputation of their institution above the well-being of the innocent.
MN - Lutheran official says Catholic bishops misled him
Internal memo shows church dispute
Lutherans say they were “unaware” of costs
And they’re refusing to pay for expensive lobbying
Dispute stems from Catholic-led effort against child sex victims
For immediate release: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected]
MN - Catholic priest loses at MN Supreme Court; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Statement by SNAP leader Megan Peterson (218-689-9049, [email protected])
A law banning clergy from sexual contact with congregants has been upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court. This is a victory for every man and woman who has been sexually exploited by priests, ministers, rabbis and other clerics.
http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_24466753/st-paul-priests-criminal-sex-conviction-upheld-high
We are grateful that Minnesota's highest court has upheld a law criminalizing the sexual exploitation of adults by clergy.
MO - Victims challenge KC bishop on two priests
One was convicted of stealing from churches
The other was ousted from parish last Friday
Sex abuse victims want bishop to be more “open”
Neither, as best SNAP can tell, faces child sex allegations
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP Director (314) 566-9790cell, [email protected]
NY - New Catholic bishop for Rochester is “awful”
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Vermont Catholic Bishop Salvatore Matano has been promoted to head the Rochester diocese. We’re disappointed that Pope Francis has promoted a bureaucrat with a terrible record on children’s safety.
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/
In 2006, Matano’s diocese was one of just two in America to have been found in violation of the US bishops weak and vague national abuse policy because Matano refused to ensure that adequate abuse prevention training was provided to all his staff, as the policy requires.
ID- priest ousted, SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, November 5, 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 Idaho Catholic priest working in Missouri has been ousted from his parish. Neither bishops – one in Boise and one in Kansas City – are saying why.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/11/05/2852528/idaho-priest-removed-from-missouri.html
We’re disappointed that Catholic officials continue to treat their flock like children and withhold potentially helpful information about the misconduct of priests.
Vatican - JPII "knew nothing" about high profile serial predator priest
For immediate release: Tuesday November 5, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
A long time top Catholic official now says that Pope John Paul II knew “absolutely nothing” about multiple credible child sex abuse reports against Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado.
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/john-pauls-secretary-says-it-was-mistake-meet-legionary-founder
We find this very hard to believe. And if it's true, we find this very troubling.
NJ - Nothing changes today in Newark archdiocese
For immediate release: Tuesday November 5, 2013
Statement by Mark Crawford, SNAP New Jersey Director (732-632-7687, [email protected])
Today and tomorrow, four cardinals, 40 bishops, and 250 priests will wine, dine and celebrate the promotion of one of their own as the newest monarch of the Newark Catholic Archdiocese.
And when it’s over, the on-going crisis of clergy child sex crimes being covered up by Newark Catholic officials will remain unaddressed.
WV – Mormon officials shirk wrongdoings; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Oct 31, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
West Virginia Mormon church officials credibly accused of concealing and neglect regarding a predator are now refusing to accept responsibility.
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