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	Abuse Victims Share Stories at VOTF Meeting By Franics X. Fay Jr The Hour June 6, 2009 http://www.thehour.com/story/470467 The Voice of the Faithful chapter of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport heard a riveting account of priestly sexual abuse during its meeting this week. E. Brian Walsh, a 58-year-old musician and writer from Bristol, said that it was only two years ago that he came to grips with the trauma, stemming from the rape that was inducing suicidal thoughts, and sought help from Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). "The people I've met in SNAP have given me the love and affection that has allowed me to regain my self respect and dignity," he told 35 listeners in the First Congregational Church on the Green. He related how he had been abused at the age of 14 at a Jesuit institution in the Metropolitan New York area. "It was a shock I never recovered from, and one that has remained with me ever since," he said. He had been a freshman at the time. "I had been the valedictorian of my New Jersey elementary school and had a zest for life," he said. "But after that, my whole world tumbled around me, and I never regained my positive attitude. I drifted from job to job and into and out of alcoholism and drug addiction. When in his late 30s, Walsh kicked the bad habits and obtained a responsible job, but something continued to nag him and wouldn't let go. However, Walsh didn't actually connect his earlier downward spiral to the sexual molestation, which he likened to the murder of his soul. "It took many years for me to realize the connection," he said. He has recently completed a book on positive thinking and the capacity of individuals to change the world. Titled "Years of Encouragement," it is available at "lulu.com" and on the Amazon book list. Walsh attributed much of his recent success to Beth McCabe of Clinton, a leader of the SNAP branch based in New Britain. She revealed that she had been abused by a Long Island priest as an 11-year-old and had been so traumatized that she immediately filed the incident in the deep recesses of her mind. "It had been too horrible to reflect upon," she said. It would be 20 years before it penetrated her consciousness again and did so while she was working with the Connecticut Division of Children, Youth and Family Services. She is currently devoting her days to fighting for a bill in the New York State General Assembly that would extend the time a person would have to press suit against the perpetrator of child abuse. "Research shows that 94 percent of all child abuse is based in the family and only 4 percent outside it among religious clerics, educators, scout leaders, etc.," she explained. Catholic priests and nuns are believed responsible for only two percent. "But whom do we find ourselves up against in New York State? The Catholic Church. Not the teaching unions, scouting organizations or the YMCA's. They are nowhere to be seen. And Jewish leaders, who have a similar problem with the rabbis, are actually on our side fighting for the protection of children," she said. John M. Lee, immediate past chapter chairman, noted afterward: "Listening to survivors, compassion for them and their journey, is a critical role for Christ followers who call themselves Catholics. We must be present as a community to bear witness of a different path for institutional leaders. We must show that a Catholic can reach out to a neighbor who claims victimization, listen to that person and seek assistance in their healing process." There was also much discussion about the very expensive effort of the Bridgeport Diocese to suppress court records of previous clergy abuse cases. "It has drained a lot of money away from Catholic Charities," said Robert Mulligan of Norwalk. The meeting also saw the election of eight directors, most of whom have served before. They are Daniel Sullivan, current co-chairman of St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan; Marilyn Kirchner, current treasurer of St. Francis of Weston; Margaret Hickey, current corresponding secretary of St. Jerome; John M. Lee, former chairman, of St. James in Stratford; Anthony Wiggins, past chairman, of St. Jerome; Kathleen Clement of St.Thomas the Apostle, James Alvord of St. Jerome, and Anna Pollak of Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton.
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