Abuse victims group calls for diocese action
HOLLIDAYSBURG - David Clohessy stood alone Monday morning on the side of South Logan Boulevard with a handful of laminated portraits of smiling children clutched tightly in his hands.
At times pausing to wipe tears from his eyes, Clohessy, the director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said the children in the pictures - his own childhood photo included - were all abused by members of the clergy.
Clohessy said he wants the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to share its own portraits: portraits of diocesan priests accused of sexual misconduct and abuse involving children.
"We want [Bishop Mark L. Bartchak] to take aggressive steps to both try and find victims, and help law enforcement," Clohessy of St. Louis said.
But the diocese has been aggressively pursuing the case, officials said.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse in our society," diocesan spokesman Tony DeGol said in an email. "I can assur...
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
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