For more information:
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314-566-9790, [email protected]
Christa Brown, SNAP Baptist Outreach Director, 512-217-1730, [email protected]
Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-862-7688, [email protected]

Southern Baptist execs reject database of credibly accused clergy predators

Baptist delegates had previously instructed execs to conduct study on creating database

Sex abuse victims now ask, "Where's the study?"

Support group says, "If kids are to be protected, people must know who the perpetrators are."

At Southern Baptists' annual convention in Indianapolis, Baptist officials rejected the creation of a denominational database of credibly accused clergy sex-predators.

At last year's convention in San Antonio, delegates voted almost unanimously to charge Baptist officials with the duty of conducting a study on the creation of a database of credibly-accused child-molesting ministers.

Now that Southern Baptist officials have rejected a database, SNAP leaders ask, "Where's the study?"

"I hope Southern Baptists will hold their leaders accountable and insist on a real, honest-to-gosh study," said David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP's National Director. "Baptist officials could start by at least setting aside a designated budget for a real study, and they could hold hearings with experts from other faith groups."

"If kids are to be protected, people must know who the perpetrators are," said Christa Brown of Austin, SNAP's Baptist Outreach Director. "A database of credibly accused clergy could provide that sort of information to parents in the pews of Baptist churches."

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's oldest and largest support network for people who have been sexually abused by clergy. Founded in 1989, it has more than 8000 members and 65 support groups across the country. Its goals are to heal the wounded and protect the vulnerable. See SNAPnetwork.org and StopBaptistPredators.org.