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).
MN - Why MN predator priests get more $$ than non-offenders
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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])
Some Minnesota child molesting clerics get paid more than their non-offending peers, a new MinnPost story reveals.
There’s a simple explanation: blackmail.
MN - priest speaks out; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 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])
We applaud the Twin Cities priest who’s calling on Archbishop John Nienstedt to release a list of proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics. He’s also calling for “new leadership” in the archdiocese.
The former request will definitely help protect kids. The latter request likely will not.
MO - Pope ousts one bishop but let’s convicted one stay
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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 highly unusual move, Pope Francis has suspended a German bishop for financial misdeeds.
NY - Judge's ruling protects Cardinal Dolan
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013
Statement by Peter Isely of Milwaukee, national board member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (414-429-7259, [email protected])
A judge’s new ruling could further shield NY Cardinal Tim Dolan from the legal and public consequences of clergy child sex abuse cases he handled for eight years in Milwaukee.
The decision comes weeks after the same judge refused to rescue himself from the Milwaukee bankruptcy case even though he and his family have strong connections to the archdiocese.
Rome - Pope ousts one bishop but let’s convicted one stay
For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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])
Pope Francis has suspended a German bishop for financial misdeeds.
But he ignores bishops who have concealed or are concealing child sex crimes. He should suspend them promptly, starting with Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City Missouri, who was convicted in 2012 of withholding evidence - hundreds of sexual photos of young girls - from police.
MO- Missouri’s most awful predator priest will never again hurt a child
For immediate release Tuesday October 22, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688, [email protected]
Missouri’s most awful predator priest will never again hurt a child.
Msgr. Thomas J. O’Brien has passed away. He forced silence on some of the dozens of boys he sexually assaulted by telling them that they would be kicked out of the Catholic Church, they would go directly to hell and their parents would disown them.
TX - Houston's top Catholic runs for national post
For immediate release: October 22, 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 a candidate to head the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. We hope he’ll withdraw or fail in his bid.
His record in Sioux City was abysmal. His record in Houston shows no improvement.
In 2008, we named DiNardo as one of the worst Cardinals in the US. Our view of him has not changed.
MN - Victims prod singer Neil Diamond about predator priest
Victims group prod's Neil Diamond's guitarist
He complained privately of alleged child sex crimes
SNAP: "That's not good enough. Call the police now"
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688, [email protected], Bob Schwiderski (952 471 3422, [email protected]
CA - Los Angeles archbishop seeks national post
For immediate release: Monday, October 21, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez is running for the presidency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. We hope he fails.
TN - Female Christian teacher accused of abuse; SNAP responds
Update - February 2022
According to communication from the accused's attorneys, her records have since been expunged. We are adding this detail to this statement to reflect the developments, but are leaving the below statement intact as the children in this case don't get to have their experiences expunged.
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 21, 2013
Statement by Steve Theisen of Hudson IA, Iowa director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (319 231 1663, [email protected])
A female Christian teacher is accused of abusing boys. As a child, I too was abused by a trusted older woman who was a nun.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/beth-scearce-teacher-sex_n_4135422.html?ref=topbar
I’m sad to read about the pain these boys have endured and are enduring. But I’m grateful they’re helping police and prosecutors. Kids are safe when law enforcement pursues, charges and convicted child molesters – of either gender.
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