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).
FL - Accused priest speaks in Orlando
A Catholic priest who faces at least six allegations of sexual harassment is scheduled to speak tomorrow at religious conference in Orlando.
OK - SNAP blasts church officials’ legal technicalities in Tulsa
It is extremely distressing how church officials at Victory Christian Center have handled this case revolving around the rape of a 13-year-old girl on church property.
OH - Ex-Columbus priest on trial for child sex charges
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Columbus Catholic officials to “aggressively seek out” anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered child sex crimes by a former priest who is facing criminal charges right now.
CANADA - SNAP praises Bishop for speaking out against abuse, urges action
We are grateful any time clergy sex crimes and cover ups are publicly discussed. We applaud Bishop Dunn for raising this issue before his fellow church officials.
NM - Organist in New Mexico sentenced for child porn, SNAP responds
A former organist was today given 7 ½ years behind bars for spreading child pornography.
WV - Wheeling bishop rejects victims’ plea
West Virginia’s top Catholic official is rejecting a plea from clergy sex abuse victims for a public meeting about child sex abuse allegations against him. Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Michael Bransfield said, through his spokesman, that he will not hold a question and answer session to discuss the accusations, first disclosed six months ago in a Philadelphia courtroom.
WV - Letter to Bishop Bransfield of Wheeling, WV
Dear Bishop Bransfield:
We belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Our mission is to heal the wounded and protect the vulnerable and expose the truth about clergy sex crimes and cover ups.
PA - Sandusky sentenced - Now, onto the enablers, SNAP says
Now that America’s most notorious serial child molester will stay behind bars, the focus will shift from the Penn State staffer who committed child sex crimes to the three Penn State staffers who concealed those crimes.
PA - SNAP's letter to Bishop Bartchak from Altoona-Johnstown
Below is a letter sent today by fax and email to Bishop Matt Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown:
On eve of Sandusky sentencing, SNAP pushes for more
(NOTE: Clohessy will attend Sandusky’s sentencing Tuesday morning and will hold a news conference on the Centre County Courthouse steps on Monday at 2 p.m.)
Now is no time to be complacent. Yes, one child predator, Jerry Sandusky, is behind bars and will likely stay there for the rest of his life. But many more child predators still walk free. And there are still plenty of schools and institutions that still seem to value their own reputations over the safety of their students or members. There’s still a climate of denial in which adults often rally around accused child predators and disbelieve their victims.
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