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).
AR - Catholic teacher guilty of hiding child sex crimes; SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 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])
Today, an ex-Catholic school teacher has been found guilty of failing to report suspected child sex crimes. Yesterday, another ex-Catholic school teacher pled guilty to violating her probation by repeatedly contacting the girl she molested.
As a result, kids in both Arkansas (where the crimes happened) and Florida (where the predator has been living) are both safer. And we hope that these actions, especially today’s verdict, will deter future cover ups of child sex crimes.
MO - Files released on two predator priests
For more information: David Clohessy (314) 566-9790 cell, [email protected], Barbara Dorris (314) 862-7688, [email protected]
Files released on two predator priests
Each abused in CA but spent time in MO
They’re with a St. Louis-based religious order
But each worked in the Cape Girardeau diocese
Victims blast MO Catholic officials for “continued secrecy”
SNAP to prelates: “Reach out to others who may be in pain”
CA - New San Diego Catholic bishop is named SNAP responds
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
The Vatican has announced that Bishop Cirilo Flores is the new head of the San Diego diocese. We’re disappointed and worried by this move.
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2013/09/other-pontifical-acts_18.html
Flores spent years in the Diocese of Orange, a diocese with a very troubling track record in concealing crimes and endangering kids. For more than a decade, he was on a small panel there dealing with clergy sex crimes and cover ups. Flores did little or nothing that showed any real courage or compassion.
AR - Victims applaud jailing of predator
For immediate release: Tuesday, September 17, 2013
For more information: Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Victims applaud jailing of predator
And they urge judge to harshly sentence her
Today, another ex-Catholic school teacher is in court
She allegedly helped keep child sex crimes against girl hidden
MO - Files released on two predator priests
For immediate release: Monday, Sept 16, 2013
Files released on two predator priests
Each abused in CA but spent time in MO
They’re with a St. Louis-based religious order
Victims blast MO Catholic officials for “continued secrecy”
SNAP to prelates: “Reach out to others who may be in pain”
OK - Ex Oklahoma priest faces child sex trial
For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 12
For more information: Judy Jones of St. Louis 636 433 2511, [email protected], David Clohessy of St. Louis, 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected]
Catholic priest trial to start
He’s accused of molesting a boy
And he worked in two Oklahoma towns
OH - Catholic priest trial to start
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 13, 2013
For more information: Judy Jones of St. Louis 636 433 2511, [email protected], David Clohessy of St. Louis, 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected]
Catholic priest trial to start
He’s accused of molesting a boy
Fr. Robert Poandl's criminal child sex abuse trial is set to begin on Monday, Sept 16th in the Potter Stewart U.S. Federal Courthouse (room 109), 100 East 5th St., in downtown Cincinnati, OH.
MO- SNAP is "reassured" by Ratigan sentence
For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013
Statement by Judy Jones of St. Louis, Assistant Midwest Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 974 5003, [email protected])
It's very reassuring to know that Ratigan can never hurt another child. At the same time, the bank robber gets 50 years while the guy who drove the getaway car does no jail time.
MO - Victims blast ‘silly & deceptive’ church abuse report
For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 8
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
Two Kansas City Catholic officials, Bishop Robert Finn and Carrie Cooper, in an act of stunning callousness, have issued a four page abuse ‘report’ that is deceptive and pathetic and harmful. It hides key information, hurts victims, and helps no one.
http://www.diocese-kcsj.org/_docs/OCYP_Report_2013_final_reduced.pdf
First, today Shawn Ratigan is being sentenced. Finn and Cooper rub salt into the wounds of Ratigan’s victims by pulling a carefully-crafted public relations stunt on a long-awaited day of closure for those who have suffered and are suffering because of Ratigan’s crimes and Finn’s crimes.
Letter to Bishop Zubik
Sept. 12, 2013
Dear Bishop Zubik:
We are members of a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Our mission is to heal the wounded, protect the vulnerable and expose the truth.
Your soon-to-be newest public relations staffer, veteran journalist Ann Rodgers, has spent her professional career trying to expose the truth. We hope she’ll be better able to persuade you to do this than we have. We’ll keep trying, nonetheless.
Specifically, we want you to expose the truth about two priests: Fr. Alan E. Caparella and. Fr. Richard Deakin. Both spent time in Pittsburgh. Both molested elsewhere. Both faced civil lawsuits.
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