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	Abuse Victims Will Hold Vigil at Crosier Reunion By Brett Larson Mille Lacs Messenger July 9, 2009 http://www.millelacsmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31639:abuse-victims-will-hold-vigil-at-crosier-reunion&catid=34:current-news&Itemid=76 Victims of clergy sexual abuse and their supporters will hold a press conference and silent vigil at the former Crosier Seminary in Onamia on July 11 at noon. The vigil is being organized by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and will be followed by a confidential support group meeting for vicitms and their families. The vigil will be open to the public and the media, but Bob Schwiderski, one of the organizers and the Minnesota SNAP director, said there will be a separate area for those who do not want to be photographed. Schwiderski said he wants to encourage other victims to come forward and get the help they need. He said the Crosiers have not been forthcoming about the extent of abuse since 2002, when the order admitted that abuse had occurred and conducted an internal audit. He said the Crosiers have minimized the magnitude of sexual abuse and lied about the number of priests and brothers who sexually abused children. Schwiderski also said the Crosiers have not reached out to the victims or attempted to find other victims of abuse. "Now you have this situation of this all-class reunion — a great opportunity to say 'What can we do to help you?'" Schwiderski said. "There was no effort whatsoever." Schwiderski has posted a video naming 17 Crosiers who are confirmed or suspected abusers. In the video he calls Crosier Seminary "The most dangerous Catholic school in the nation." According to a SNAP news release on the event, the goal is "To honor those who have been hurt by abusive cleregy and reach out, via the news media and our solidarity, to others who have been molested and are trapped in shame, silence and self blame." Organizers will hold pictures of those not able to attend. Those wanting additional information can contact the following people: Bob Schwiderski, SNAP Minnesota Director 952-471-3422 skibrs@mchsi.com Barbara Blaine, SNAP President 312-399-4747 snapblaine@gmail.com David Clohessy, SNAP National Director 314-566-9790 snapclohessy@aol.com Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director 314 862-7688 snapdorris@gmail.com
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