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).
IL- More Joliet predator priests sued; SNAP responds
We applaud these brave men for helping to shine light on the on-going Catholic abuse and cover-up crisis.
MO- Judge limits evidence in Catholic child sex case
Once again, the criminal who commits child sex crimes will likely be punished and the criminal who conceals child sex crimes gets a break.
AL-Victims blast Mobile Catholic Archbishop over abuse
Shame on the Mobile Catholic archdiocese. Its leader, Archbishop Thomas Rodi, has suspended a suspected predator priest. But he basically kept the accusation and suspension secret, until a journalist’s tweet forced his hand.
MI-Priest in Detroit leaves to care for child he fathered
A Detroit area priest from a troubled Catholic religious order (the Legion of Christ) has reportedly quit, saying he’ll take care of his child. He is Fr. Thomas Williams, a prominent cleric.
MO- Child sex case vs. MO camp is settled
We are glad that this case has been settled. Although the details of the settlement aren’t available, we hope the victims feel like their perpetrators have been brought to justice.
PA- Disgraced Penn State president is highest paid public university exec; SNAP responds
Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers should be outraged over Graham Spanier’s pay package. At the very least, he mishandled credible child sex abuse reports. More likely, he enabled heinous child sex crimes. Yet he’s America’s highest paid university president.
This rubs salt into the already-deep and often still-fresh wounds, not just of Sandusky victims but of child sex abuse victims.
NJ- SNAP: “Church notices re Newark perp aren’t enough”
When will Catholic officials stop trying to play ‘gatekeeper’ and ‘screen’ child sex abuse reports? Why don’t they just tell people ‘if you see, suspect or suffer clergy child sex crimes, call law enforcement directly?’
CA- LA archbishop reneges on Mahony ‘discipline’
LA’s archbishop claimed disgraced predecessor wouldn’t engage in “public ministry.” Now, he’s apparently - and quietly - reversed himself, further betraying thousands of abuse victims and hundreds of thousands of parishioners.
Today’s LA Times reports that Archbishop José Horacio Gomez is violating his pledge to forbid Cardinal Roger Mahony from performing confirmations. And Gomez is giving no explanations.
IL- SNAP blasts newly-promoted Jesuit priest
A Chicago Jesuit, Fr. Timothy P. Kesicki, has been tapped to head the Jesuit Conference. That’s a mistake. http://www.jesuit.org/blog/
In recent years in clergy sex abuse and cover up cases, Kesicki has done, at best, an inadequate job. At worst, he has done a reckless, callous, and deceitful job.
Report on implementation of Catholic child protection charter, SNAP responds
There are helpful numbers and misleading numbers. These are misleading numbers.
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