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).
TX- ex-El Paso priest accused of abuse
Our hearts go out to Eran Joseph McManemy of New Mexico who is accusing, in a new lawsuit, three priests of molesting him. One of the clerics worked in the El Paso diocese.
NM- Three New Mexico priests accused of abuse
Our hearts go out to Eran Joseph McManemy. It takes real courage to take legal action that safeguards kids and exposes corruption.
Some may find it hard to believe that one boy could be sexually assaulted by three priests. But we in SNAP see cases like this far more often than most would suspect. It’s important to keep in mind that among Catholics, priests are held in very high esteem and kids are trained to trust and revere and obey them.
A letter to Bishop O’Connell and Bishop Serratelli
May 7, 2013
Most Reverend David O’Connell
701 Lawrenceville Rd
Trenton, NJ 08648
Dear Bishop O’Connell,
IL- Catholic monk jailed again; “Where’s the outrage?” SNAP asks
One week. Catholic officials couldn’t keep a monk away from children for one week, even after the monk was forbidden to have contact with children and had been arrested and charged with a felony for attempted child abduction and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Victims want action from two NJ bishops
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging two New Jersey Catholic bishops to discipline church employees who let an admitted predator priest work recently in their dioceses.
They also want the bishops to warn their flocks about the priest and aggressively seek out anyone who “may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes or misdeeds by him.”
Leaders of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) are writing the bishops in Trenton and Paterson about Fr. Michael Fugee.
TX- Church members attack victim, SNAP responds
A pastor at the Church of Corinth near Dallas, TX was arrested last week on charges of attempting to make a teenager strip for him. The police have the entire 2 hour attack on audio tape and suspect there maybe more victims.
MO- Accused teacher was at 11 schools in 11 years
Eleven schools in eleven years. That's the troubling track record of teacher Joseph Thomas Maddock who has been charged with sexually assaulting a ten year old student. This doesn't pass the smell test. We strongly suspect that staff and parents at several of these schools knew of or suspected Maddock's crimes and did little or nothing to stop him. The notion that a child molesting teacher moves so much so quickly but no one sees or suspects anything suspicious defies logic and common sense.
PA- Priest is new temporary head of Harrisburg diocese; SNAP responds
Fr. Robert Gillelan is the new temporary head of the Harrisburg Catholic diocese. We hope he'll promptly post on the diocesan website the names and whereabouts of all the child molesting clerics who have worked or lived in the Harrisburg area.
NH- priest resigns from church treatment center
Today, a former high ranking New Hampshire diocesan Catholic official has stepped down from his position because of allegations of sexual and financial impropriety.
IL- Ex Peoria bishop in trouble on abuse; SNAP responds
Peoria’s former Catholic bishop is now in hot water in New Jersey.
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