BishopAccountability.org
	National Support Group Wants Answers from Lowcountry Diocese By Brian Heins ABC News 4 October 26, 2007 http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/1007/467333.html Charleston, SC - A national support group for sexual abuse survivors is asking the Catholic Diocese of Charleston some tough questions. The group is made up of people abused by clergymen in the catholic church. Mike Coode carries the truth that a priest abused him when he was 12 years old in Memphis, Tennessee, something he says affected him his entire life. "The abuse caused me a lot of trouble during my life and I'm not blaming it all on the abuse, but I think it had an effect. I certainly struggled with my faith and with relationships," said Coode. But Coode has created a new relationship with S.N.A.P, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. And with that group he hopes to get the names of clergymen in Charleston that have sexually abused children. S.N.A.P. sent a letter to Bishop Robert Baker asking for those names. S.N.A.P. regional director, Anne Brentwood, says he wrote her back refusing to give out those names. Baker has since left the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. The Catholic Diocese of Charleston will be getting the new letter in the next couple days and S.N.A.P. hopes it gets them some answers. Brentwood says they are sending the letter to the new administrator, Martin Laughlin. "They are out living among your children. They are unidentified, unmonitored. Nobody knows who they are, where they are and we continue to ask for that list," said Brentwood. And these survivors, like Mike Coode, hope by speaking out they will help others. "We're trying to make the church stronger and honest and more forthcoming. I'm still Catholic, I have difficulty practicing my religion at times. It's very difficult struggling with my faith," said Coode. But Coode hopes by breaking his silence, others will follow. The Catholic Diocese of Charleston declined to comment. According to S.N.A.P. around 15 Catholic bishops in the U.S. have voluntarily disclosed the names of proven or admitted predator priests on their websites. webteam@wciv.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.