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	SNAP Urges Openness About Sexual Abuse by Priests By Arica Sampson KBIA October 1, 2009 http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kbia/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1560946/KBIA.Local/ SNAP.Urges.Openness.About.Sexual.Abuse.by.Priests [with audio] EFFERSON CITY, MO (KBIA) - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is asking victims to come forward and report their abusers. Today, SNAP met in front of Columbia's Police station to promote awareness and support for abuse victims. David Clohessy (Klossy) is SNAP's national director. He says SNAP is here in Columbia because of the recent discovery that a convicted abuser, Father Gerry Howard, formerly worked as a teen counselor at Columbia's now closed Charter Hospital. Clohessy urges anyone with information about Howard to speak to authorities. "Every single victim and witness should come forward and contact law enforcement and let the police and the prosecutors sort out whether the crime can be prosecuted or not. It's very, very tempting for victims and witnesses to say Ah gee that was 15 years ago or 20 years ago. Nothing can probably be done. But what we in SNAP have seen over the past few years is that police and prosecutors are getting much more aggressive and creative about finding ways around the statutes of limitations and ways to pursue older sex crimes." Ron Vessel is the Associate to the Chancellor and Community Reconciliation Director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City. He says the church has repeatedly apologized for Howard's behaviors. "Bishop devoted a column to it. Our own diocese and newspaper contained our full public statement. Both of which contained invitations for people to come forward if anyone knows of anyone who's been abused. Either by Howard or anyone else." Vessel says the church acknowledges that instances of abuse are tragic both to the community and the church. He says the diocese that ordained Howard would have the responsibility to administer disciplinary action. Vessel says the Jefferson City Diocese will continue to provide its assistance to those who are abused.
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