Survivors Network, Snap, Targets St. Louis Cathedral

By Rob Masson
Fox 8 WVUE
October 8, 2018

http://www.fox8live.com/2018/10/08/survivors-network-snap-targets-st-louis-cathedral/

The head of the Louisiana chapter of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is taking a new approach in his effort to get full disclosure of abusive clergy.

He targeted churchgoers at the city’s most prominent Catholic Church Monday.

“We would like the bishop to be more transparent with the community,” said Tim Lennon with SNAP.

Friday, Lennon was in Baton Rouge, trying to get the attorney general to launch a state wide investigation into clergy abuse. At the St. Louis Cathedral Monday, he passed out leaflets demanding that the archbishop release the names of all abusive clergy.

“Release the names, we feel this is important for survivors suffering alone and in the dark,” said Lennon.

Though some waved off the leaflet, others supported what Lennon is trying to accomplish, as a way to keep others from being abused again.

“I think anyone doing inappropriate behavior, that should be public for all persons,” said Julie Holman of New Orleans.

One Catholic from Arkansas says her parish back home in Jonesboro has already released the names.

" He published all the records, he just wanted to do it, so it would be in the open," said Rachel Boydstun of Arkansas.

Archbishop Aymond has indicated he is getting close to releasing the names of abusive clergy but whether he does or not he says things are being handled with far more openness than in the past.

Monday afternoon, the archbishop put out this statement:

“While i understand that certain groups are requesting the immediate release of names, it is important to ensure that any such list is accurate and complete. We are working diligently and quickly to compile this information.”

“I would have liked to have seen him do this ten years ago,” said Lennon.

“I was born Catholic, bad things happened, but bad things happen everywhere,” said Boydstun.

The archbishop says he is working with a committee of lay people, and clergy to come up with a list of clergy who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, but so far no timetable.