ON - London diocese sued for sex abuse, SNAP responds
Our hearts go out to Fr. Robert’s alleged victims as they come forward with this lawsuit. We thank them for their courage – it is usually incredibly difficult for childhood victims to come forward even well into adulthood. Far too many people have experienced ongoing suffering like David Turrill's.
It is necessary that anybody who sees, suspects, or suffers sexual abuse speak up and contact police, not church officials. Abuse thrives in secrecy and silence, and even the smallest, oldest information can help people start healing and achieve justice.
* * * * *
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (+1-314-503-0003, [email protected])
* * * * *
$8M suit filed against London diocese for alleged abuse by Tilbury priest
By Trevor Wilhelm August 12, 2011 1:03 PM
TILBURY, Ont. -- Four area men are accusing a Roman Catholic priest with sexually abusing them in the Tilbury area and are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of London for $8-million.
The men allege that Father Bernard Alphonse Robert abused them during the 1970s, when they were altar boys at St. Francis Xavier Church in Tilbury.
One of the victims, David Turrill, 44, said during a press conference that the emotional damage from the alleged abuse has carried over into his adult life.
"I've been through so many jobs, drinking, dope, promiscuous behaviour, living on the streets," he said. "It just affectged everything in my life."
Turrill also said that he spent much of his adult life wandering across the continent and attempted suicide on two occasions.
Fr. Robert, who died some time in the 1990s, also served as pastor in churches in Blenheim, Watford, Wallaceburg and Alvinston.
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
Showing 1 comment