Survivors group demands list of accused Vermont clergy. ‘Children are at risk’

August 06, 2019
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Nearly a year after Vermont law enforcement and Catholic leaders announced separate investigations into clergy misconduct, the national Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is questioning why neither review has led to the public release of information.

“Every single day a predator’s name is hidden, children are at risk,” David Clohessy, the longtime former leader of the group, called SNAP, said Monday during a visit to the state.

“They should have put out a list years ago — it’s incredibly irresponsible to wait,” he added. “Although none of these guys may be in parishes anymore, one of them could be a coach at a soccer camp or tutoring at the library or providing piano lessons in his apartment.”

Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan joined other local and state leaders last September in announcing a task force of police and prosecutors to review the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington’s half-century-long history of church-wide misconduct.

At the same time, Vermont Catholic Bishop Christopher Coyne released accusers from nondisclosure agreements and formed a lay committee to review clergy personnel files. Once finished, the committee plans to publicly release the names of offenders in the state’s largest religious denomination.

But neither law enforcement nor church leaders have said anything more in the months since.

“It’s dangerous, plain and simple,” SNAP executive director Zach Hiner said in a statement. “Delays like thi...

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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.

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Warmly,

 

Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.

Interim Executive Director

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