KALAMAZOO (MI)
Newschannel 3
March 14, 2019
Standing outside the offices of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, survivors of sexual abuse demanded Thursday that church leaders publish the names of six priests who have been accused of improper behavior.
The priests in question currently or formerly served in the Kalamazoo Diocese, members of the group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said, and if the diocese wants to promote transparency, it must publish their names.
“More and more victims are realizing that that’s what it takes to protect kids,” said David Clohessy, a member of the network. “That’s what it takes to heal. And in Michigan, especially, we would beg, not just victims, we would beg witnesses, whistle blowers, anybody with any knowledge or suspicion of child sex crimes on the church to come forward now because the attorney general is doing an investigation.”
Ann Philips Browning said she was abused by a priest when she was a teenager.
“The church owes us transparency and for some reason we’re not getting it unless there’s legal involvement,” said Browning.
She said the Attorney General’s Office interviewed her as part of its ongoing investigation. She said she told the office there are many people afraid to share their stories of abuse.
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