Clergy Abuse Survivors from SNAP Return to Rome on One Year Anniversary of Vox Estis Lux Mundi

Leaders and representatives from SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, will be available in Rome from February 19-23. Attendees will be on hand during the one-year anniversary of Vox Estis Lux Mundi and will be holding press events during that time. The below delegates will be available for interviews in Rome from February 19-23 and are also available in the United States prior to leaving for Rome:

SNAP will be sending five delegates to Rome during this Anniversary:

Tim Lennon, SNAP Board President and Tucson, AZ Leader

[email protected] | (415) 312-5820 

Tim Lennon is a survivor and volunteer President of the Board of Directors of SNAP. He has been on the Board for the previous eight years. Tim also is the local SNAP leader in Tucson. Tim is retired and volunteers daily with SNAP projects and programs. He is the proud father of twin daughters who bring great joy. He enjoys his home in Tucson and practices power yoga regularly. 

Mary Dispenza, Seattle, WA Leader

[email protected] | (425) 941-6001

Mary is a survivor of priest and nun abuse and former Catholic nun, educator and a National Distinguished Principal. She is an activist for the protection of children and for the rights and protection of LGBTQIA persons. Mary is also an artist, photographer and speaker is the author of Split – A Child, a Priest, and the Catholic Church.

Kevin Bourgeois, New Orleans Leader

[email protected] | (504) 376-5445 

Kevin Bourgeois has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from LSU and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Louisiana since 1996. He is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse by high school music director and is a full-time litigation consultant with New Orleans plaintiff attorneys for abuse survivors. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his two Norwich Terriers, Izzy and Pippa.

Brenda Brunelle, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Leader

[email protected] | (519) 903-7503

Brenda opened the Windsor, ON chapter of SNAP in 2012. Brenda retired from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and volunteers her time daily with survivors of clerical abuse. Brenda was instrumental in the Canada-wide investigation of the Roman Catholic Church done by the CBC Television program The Fifth Estate in September 2019. She is a survivor of clerical abuse, a loving wife and proud mother and grandmother.

Shaun Dougherty, Southwest Pennsylvania Leader and Board Member

[email protected] | (814) 341-8386

Shaun Dougherty was raised the 8th of 9 children in an Irish Catholic family in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was sexually abused from ages 10 to 13 by his local parish priest, the same priest who taught him religion and was his basketball coach. In 2012, Shaun became a vocal and effective advocate for all victims of sexual violence and today resides in Johnstown, PA with his wife D’Arcy.

A copy of their event schedule can be found here.

Survivor experiences and interviews will also be available to all journalists covering the summit from the U.S. We have survivors in cities and states around the country willing to share their experiences and reactions. For details or interview requests, please contact Zach Hiner at [email protected].