Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 23

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 what an expert calls a “highly unusual move,” a predator priest - who has quietly been living in Phoenix and is licensed to teach in Arizona - is seeking $450,000 in “back pay,” from his Catholic supervisors.

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2013/07/21/3120703/ex-priest-seeks-450000-from-wis.html

Fr. Marvin T. Knighton was tried on two child sexual abuse charges in Milwaukee in 2003. The statute of limitation had expired on one of the charges. Knighton was acquitted on the other charge.

For immediate release: Monday, July 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])

A Newark archdiocesan priest secretly let a suspended predator priest live in a parish across the street from an elementary school. He did so with the approval of his church supervisors.

Yet no one is being punished. The priest is just being moved to a new parish. The supervisors aren’t even being identified. And the predator remains on the payroll.

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

The Legion of Christ is one of the most wealthy and most corrupt Catholic entities. Its officials have long ingratiated themselves with wealthy Catholics and gained donations in questionable ways. We hope this family succeeds in using the courts to expose the serious wrongdoing in this bizarre, self-serving and secretive religious order.

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

A Catholic priest in Columbus has been placed on leave after allegations of sexual abuse.  Since 1969, this priest has worked at 8 locations, including a high school where one of the alleged abuses occurred.

This new lawsuit is in the public record. It seeks unspecified damages. It makes unusual and disturbing charges.

I’ve not met or spoken with this family. Because of that, and because the victim is young, the crimes are recent, the lawsuit is detailed and prosecution is pending, I won’t answer many questions today. The last thing on earth I would want is to do or say anything that might in any way make an obviously traumatic situation more difficult for this courageous girl and her parents.

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

The four orders that ran the Magdalene laundry laundries, The Mercy Sisters, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, the Sisters of Charity and the Good Shepherd Sisters, have stated they will not contribute to the redress fund for the victims of their institutions. Additionally, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has stated he cannot force the orders to contribute. In response, a victims group called Magdalene Survivors Together has demanded the government eliminate the charitable status of the orders and that they receive no more state funding. 

Judge Juan Manuel Munoz from the Appeals Court in Santiago, Chile has decided to move forward with a pre-lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Santiago and predator priest Fernando Karadima. (www.lasegunada.com/Noticias/Nacional/2013/07/862983/karadima-es-cilado-a-deciarar-en-fase-previa-a-la-demandu-que-presentaran-contra-arzobispado)  

For immediate release: Tuesday July 16, 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 former Catholic school teacher arrested on sex charges with minors has now been found with child pornography on his computer. Stephen Budd was arrested in April for offering candy to two then 9-year-old female students for sexual activity and is now being charged with possession of child pornographic images and videos.

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 16

Statement by Mary Caplan of Manhattan, NY area director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (917 439 4187, [email protected])

Last week, a United Nations committee requested information from the Vatican about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

It’s a straightforward and reasonable request. But it’s also an historic and encouraging request.

It’s historic because, until now, no truly independent, international body has ever really sought extensive information from high-ranking Catholic officials about this on-going crisis.

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

A former priest and registered sex offender has resurfaced at a non-profit in Wilkes-Barre. Robert Timchak works for In The Gap, a group that helps turns vacant lots into residential buildings.