Local SNAP Leaders Resign, Start New Abuse Survivors Group

Citing governance issues, two dozen former SNAP members launch the Abuse Survivors Coalition

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:09am

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A group of at least two dozen local leaders and members with decades of experience advocating for survivors of clergy sexual abuse have left the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) to start their own organization, the Abuse Survivors Coalition. The departing SNAP members cited long-running disagreements over governance and operational structure, as well as a deteriorating relationship with SNAP's board of directors.

Why it matters

SNAP has been a leading voice for clergy abuse survivors for decades, so the departure of this experienced group raises questions about the organization's future direction and ability to effectively support survivors. The formation of the new Abuse Survivors Coalition also signals a potential shift in the survivor advocacy landscape.

The details

In resignation letters and interviews, the former SNAP members said they had lost faith in the organization's board, which they characterized as "arrogant, authoritarian and dishonest." They claimed the board refused to meet with them to discuss concerns over SNAP's operational practices and organizational direction. SNAP's executive director, Angela Walker, disputed this, saying there were several meetings that culminated in a facilitated Zoom call in October 2024. Walker said the resignations came about a week after SNAP shared new communication guidelines intended to make the organization "a safe environment for all stakeholders."

  • In September 2024, several local SNAP leaders tried raising concerns about the organization's operational practices and direction.
  • In October 2024, SNAP held a facilitated three-hour Zoom meeting with the local leaders.
  • On March 23, 2026, the local SNAP leaders submitted their resignation letters and announced the formation of the Abuse Survivors Coalition.

The players

Angela Walker

The executive director of SNAP who pushed back on the claims made by the departing members.

David Lorenz

A clergy sex abuse survivor who had been a SNAP member for 20 years and most recently served as the organization's state director in Maryland.

Frank Schindler

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and Maryland resident who had been a SNAP member for nine years.

Teresa Lancaster

A survivor of clergy sexual abuse and attorney in Maryland resident who had been a SNAP member since 1999.

Tim Lennon

A former SNAP board member who served as president of the board for three years and is a clergy sex abuse survivor who joined SNAP in 1995.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, there is plenty of work to go around. They may be going in a different direction, but in the end, we're both on the same side. We want to help survivors.”

— Angela Walker, SNAP Executive Director

“All we wanted to do was meet with [the board], and discuss some issues but it was the refusal of the board to meet with us, to acknowledge us, even to treat us with a certain type of respect.”

— Frank Schindler, Survivor and former SNAP member

“The new leadership has abandoned survivors.”

— Tim Lennon, Former SNAP board member

What’s next

The new Abuse Survivors Coalition plans to continue the work of supporting and advocating for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, though it remains to be seen how their approach and impact will differ from SNAP's going forward.

The takeaway

The departure of this experienced group of SNAP leaders highlights the challenges and tensions within the survivor advocacy community, as organizations navigate changes in leadership, operations, and priorities. The formation of the Abuse Survivors Coalition suggests a potential shift in the landscape of support and advocacy for clergy abuse survivors.