Responding to SNAP regarding the Rev. DeGrand

By Eric J. Thompson
Effingham Daily News
June 01, 2015

http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/opinion/columns/responding-to-snap-regarding-the-rev-degrand/article_db9b515c-08d2-11e5-8c4f-03d3697ec0b0.html

In a recent column, Ron Worman stated he did not wish to belong to a religion (the Roman Catholic Church) that called him “intrinsically evil.” (”Father Bud and Bishop Paprocki,” May 7, 2015.) The Roman Catholic Church does not call anyone “evil” or “intrinsically evil,” never has and never will. The Roman Catholic Church does have five serious, grave, mortal, deadly sins it deems and proclaims as “intrinsically evil.” They are: abortion, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and same-sex marriage. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the ‘sin’ is evil, not the sinner.

Ron, if someone told you that you are “intrinsically evil,” they were/are tragically wrong and you have been unjustly and ignorantly accused. We are all children of God, God does not and cannot make “evil.” “Evil” is a product of Satan. We can participate in this “evil” by way of our thoughts, words and actions.

To say someone is “intrinsically evil” (meaning: no matter how it is portrayed or spoken of, nothing taken from it or added to it will ever make it less evil), denies the love, mercy, forgiveness and sanctifying grace of our triune God.

The article from SNAP National Director David Clohessy was misleading at best and hypocritical. (”Advocate criticizes handling of priest’s removal,” May 5, 2015.) Google David Clohessy and you will discover good and not-so-good information on Mr. Clohessy and his organization. The following information I mention, I found at themediareport.com and catholicleague.org.

SNAP (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests) was founded in 1991 by Mr. Clohessy. Clohessy was abused by a trusted priest. I won’t get into details; you can read from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights once you google Mr. Clohessy. I am sorry for him and his family. I have no idea of what torment and pain they have experienced; however, this does not give ‘free rein’ to attack our Catholic Church and her priests and bishops without proof and with no regards to fairness, righteousness and justice.

In my opinion, Mr. Clohessy seems to have the mentality of “kill them all and let God sort them out.” Mr. Clohessy is referred to as anti-Catholic (I could not find any other denomination he has ever focused upon). According to the web, no one within the SNAP organization is a licensed councilor. In 2007, SNAP had $3 million in a bank account. Mr. Clohessy will not reveal where his funding comes from. In 2007, SNAP used $593 of that $3 million for “survivor support” and in 2008, SNAP spent $92,000 for “travel expense.”

If anyone thinks it is not fair to bring up facts from seven or eight years ago, consider an allegation (not a fact) of something over 30 years ago. SNAP says it pursues priests who are “credibly accused,” yet, Mr. Clohessy will not state what that means (Fr. Bud’s allegation was deemed by Bishop Paprocki as “credible” even though Bishop Paprocki stated on May 2, 2015, to Fr. Bud’s parishioners that the only ‘evidence’ he and the Review Board have ever had since ‘day one’ of the allegation and up to and including this day is this; it’s one man’s word against another and the Bishop and the review board choose to believe the accuser). The article continues on by stating, “credible evidence not defined is important because many an ‘accused priest’ have been railroaded by those who have made false claims.”

Mr. Clohessy admitted in a deposition when asked, “Has SNAP, to your knowledge, ever issued a press release that contained false information?”

Clohessy’s reply? “Sure.”

Mr. Clohessy admitted on record that he doesn’t really know his staff and could not state who does his website. Mr. Clohessy has been called a liar and a hypocrite. He has also received many awards and public recognition for his organization’s work to rid us of child abusing priests. If Mr. Clohessy would actually do that in a Christian way (he was baptized a Catholic and his brother became a priest, but, later left the priesthood) and ran his organization with love and concern, I wouldn’t have a problem with him.

However, whatever ‘good’ Mr. Clohessy has done is seriously tainted by his reputation and desire to destroy any priest or bishop who has been “credibly accused” without any other evidence. That does not appear to be Christ-like in word or action. There is no place in sacred scripture where it states it is acceptable to do a little ‘evil’ in order to achieve a ‘greater good.’

Did Mr. Clohessy lie about priests? I don’t know. According to what I have read about Mr. Clohessy and SNAP, he and his organization may have started out sincere, but, to call my friend, our priest, Fr. Bud, a “child predator” ... well, Mr. Clohessy, there is only one predator in this situation and it is you. You chose your reputation by your words and actions, for you, in my opinion, there is no respect or belief due you or your organization.

We pray for our Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, Fr. Bud, the accuser and all those who are suffering (and now, I will add to my prayers, Mr. Clohessy), every Wednesday evening at 7:15 p.m. at St. Michael’s church in Sigel. Prayer is the greatest act we can do to show our belief in our God and our trust in Jesus. Prayer is the first step towards healing, come join us.

May God have mercy on us all and may HIS will be done.