TENNESSEE
Tennessean
By NATALIA MIELCZAREK
Staff Writer
Members of an organization that supports victims of sexual abuse by priests demanded yesterday that the Diocese of Nashville remove priests who are accused of sexual abuse from church and release their names.
They said it would create a more welcoming atmosphere for victims to come forward.
A diocese spokesman said no priest credibly accused of sexual molestation is serving here and that the diocese has made an effort for years to counsel and work with victims.
Members of the Tennessee chapter of The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) gathered here yesterday for their first statewide conference to brainstorm how to stop what they perceive as stonewalling by various dioceses and how to persuade abuse victims to tell their stories.
"These are crimes that have been committed against innocent children, teens and vulnerable adults," Susan Vance, SNAP's co-director, said as she stood outside the diocese's office here.