SNAP says names of 15 priests is needed to heal and protect children

KATC
August 13, 2014

http://www.katc.com/news/snap-says-names-of-15-priests-is-needed-to-heal-and-protect-children/

Following a KATC investigation piece last night, a support group for those abused by priests is calling for Lafayette's bishop to release the names of those priests with credible accusations against them.

According to David Clohessy, Executive Director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), releasing the names would both protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded. He argues that parents will be able to better protect their children from predators if they know who the predators are.

"We are disappointed in Lafayette's Catholic bishop and its district attorney. The bishop won't release the names of 15 credibly accused predator priests and the D.A. won't even ask the bishop for them. What an irresponsible decision by both men," says Clohessy.

He says after a pledge by bishops to be more open and transparent, roughly 30 U.S. bishops posted names of suspected abusive priests on their websites.

"If even one of these 15 credibly accused sex offenders is alive, let's err on the side of safety. If he is too dangerous to put on the job in a parish, then he's too dangerous to live among unsuspecting single mothers in an apartment complex, teach piano lessons in his home, be a volunteer tutor, coach basketball, or babysit his nieces," says Clohessy.

As for District Attorney Mike Harson, the group is asking that he urge anyone who saw, suspected, or suffered from clergy sex crimes speak up and call police.