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...

 

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Showing 1 comment

  • Frank Lostaunau
    commented 2012-10-09 10:33:13 -0500
    David is a SHINING STAR!

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