Clergy abuse: Activist asks Wausau church-goers to lobby La Crosse Diocese for openness
WAUSAU - Dozens of flyers fluttered under windshield wipers in the late morning breeze Sunday as parishioners left St. Michael Catholic Church in Wausau.
The flyers were neatly tucked there by David Clohessy, a member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. As parishioners began leaving the church, he handed them out, asking people to take them home and read them.
His goal, he said, was to bring awareness to the fact that the La Crosse Diocese still hasn't released a list of credibly accused abusers, members of the clergy who sexually abused young children and are known by the church. He's hoping that the flyers, which target five specific former priests, will cause the parishioners to go home and talk and even call the bishop, William Callahan, and demand more openness.
SNAP often holds events and advocates for changes in laws to protect victims, as well as recognition of abusive clergy by the Catholic Church. Clohessy has been working with the organization for years, including formerly as executive director. He's no stranger to handing out flyers as people leave church, he said, having done it nearly 35 times in recent years.
He's a victim himself, he said. He and three of his brothers were abused by a priest in Missouri, he said. He still gets emotional about it.
"I want to protect kids and heal victims," he said. "I want to deter these crimes from happening again."
Clohessy on Sunday morning drove to Wausau to raise awareness of five priests he believes resided within the La Crosse Diocese and have been credibly accused. He was supposed to be joined by Wausau resident Zach Hiner, also an abuse survivor, but he fell sick, Clohessy said.
Clohessy claimed it was possible that all of the named priests could have assaulted minors during their time within the diocese, even if not there on assignm...
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