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	SNAP Protest outside Another Area Church against Diocese WTEN-TV Febriary 3, 2008 http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=7816568 Demonstrators were outside of a local church Sunday morning, as members of the "Survivors' Network of Those Abused by Priests" (SNAP) protested against a local priest. They were upset over Father Gary Mercure, who was removed from active ministry three weeks ago amid charges he sexually abused a minor. Sunday morning, several members of SNAP were outside Saint Teresa of Avila Church. NEWS10's Jeff Stoecker has more on why they are angry with the Albany Catholic Diocese. Last weekend, SNAP members protested outside Sacred Heart in Troy. At that time, they knew of a handful of men who claimed to be victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Father Gary Mercure. This past Monday, at a press conference, another man claiming to be a victim stepped forward. Fast forward to this weekend, more protestors and yet another person claiming to be a victim steps forward. "That would make the tenth person that has come to us, to SNAP, indicating that they were abused as a boy or as a youth at the hands of Gary Mercure," said Mark Lyman, the SNAP Upstate Coordinator. A spokesman for the Albany Catholic Diocese tells NEWS10 it was their findings that started the investigation into Father Mercure in the first place. They also say they maintain a "zero tolerance" policy towards sexual abuse by priests. Their own investigations have led to the removal of upwards of 20 priests from the Diocese over the last six years. SNAP members remain skeptical. "At present time we are discouraging anyone from directly contacting the Albany Diocese without speaking with an attorney or a victims' advocate at this point," Lyman continued The Diocese will not confirm how many others have stepped forward to say they were abused by Father Mercure, who is on administrative leave. They only confirm they have "had other contacts since the initial complaint". SNAP members are hopeful there are no more than the ones that have already stepped forward. Their fear is there are.
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