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).
SNAP opposes weakening of sex-offender registry
A few Missouri lawmakers want to stop requiring convicted sex offenders to list their work addresses on the state sex offender registry. (Some say this requirement makes it harder for some offenders to get some jobs.
Clergy sex victims lose ruling, but case moves forward
Two child sex abuse lawsuits against the Providence Catholic diocese are still moving forward despite a judge’s decision in favor of the defendants. The cases involve alleged child sex crimes by Fr. Brendan Smyth and alleged recklessness by the Providence diocese. In the 1960s, Smyth worked at Our Lady of Mercy parish in East Greenwich RI.
More Boston predators’ names exposed; SNAP responds
Boston’s the one archdiocese where transparency about predator priests should be routine. But it’s still not. We still learn about credibly accused clerics from sources outside the church hierarchy.
Child sex case v. Catholic cleric who worked in NJ settles
A child sex abuse case against a former NJ Catholic cleric, Fr. Leonard Thomas Walsh (who worked in Rutherford), has been settled.
Victims group blasts NYC Cardinal Dolan over new report
In the church's ongoing child sex abuse and cover up scandal, Cardinal Dolan continues to dish out pabulum instead of push for reform.
Bishops praise themselves on child sex abuse again, SNAP responds
Since it was adopted a decade ago, the bishops’ extremely vague abuse policy has been consistently weakened and sporadically followed. So these alleged “audits” are nearly meaningless.
Sex Abuse Victims Urge Bishop to “Rein in” Parishioners
A support group for victims of clergy sex abuse is calling on Stockton’s Catholic bishop to “rein in his flock” after parishioners rallied around a priest who was found guilty of sexually molesting an altar boy.
SNAP responds to conviction of pastor in OK
We are glad that a jury has convicted Dean Hopkins of his crimes. Children are always safer when predators are in jail, and this conviction will certainly protect children in the Osage County area. When sentencing takes place in June, we look forward to a long sentence that will continue to protect children in Oklahoma.
SNAP responds to trial of Catholic school coach in Philly
We are hopeful that this trial will bring healing to the victims of Louis Spadaccini. It is very rare that victims of childhood sexual abuse are given a chance to have their day in court , and while it may be difficult for them to go over the sexual violence inflicted on them by this alleged predator, we remain optimistic that hearing the truth become public will prove cathartic.
SNAP responds to new lawsuit filed against two dioceses in the southwest
This story is a sad reminder of how often “more of the same” is perpetuated nationwide by church officials. It is beyond disappointing that a decade after top church officials pledged to be open and honest about clergy sex crimes, we continue to find out how bishops use retreat centers and other parishes to hide priests who are suspected child predators.