Former Catholic Brother named in a civil lawsuit in Charlotte already identified as an abuser; SNAP reacts
Al Behm, a former Catholic Brother with the Glenmary Home Missioners (GHM), has been accused of sexually abusing a boy in the Diocese of Charlotte in a recently filed lawsuit. Behm was identified as an abuser by the GHM in October of 2019 and is also named by the Diocese of Charlotte, although only as someone who was "accused elsewhere." Behm left the Brotherhood in 1993. We are disturbed that from that time until a couple of years ago, the former Brother has been free to continue working with children in unsuspecting communities.
In fact, BishopAccountability.org, the Catholic watchdog group, says that as recently as December of 2020, Behm volunteered in Thailand at the Phaung Daw OO Integrated Monastic Education School. Per the school's website he had been there for about a year, and had worked previously with other children in Thailand.
To us, that is why all allegations of child sexual abuse must be reported to and investigated by secular authorities. We do not yet know when the accusations against Behm were first brought to the attention of the GHM, only that the abuse apparently took place in the 1970s. However, we suspect that the assaults committed in Charlotte could have been prevented if Catholic officials cared more about the protection of children rather than their image.
We commend the victim who has come forward and filed this lawsuit. We also encourage anyone with knowledge of abuse by Behm or others to come forward to police or local authorities.
CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, SNAP Communication Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected] Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected]
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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