ALEXANDRIA (LA)
KALB [Alexandria LA]
October 9, 2024
By Jay McCully
The former director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests held a protest outside of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria on October 8.
“I cringe at the phrase that’s sometimes used when people say ‘Did you lose your faith,’ and the honest truth is…no, I did not lose my faith. I lose my car keys, but I didn’t lose my faith. My faith was stolen from me,” said David Clohessy.
Clohessy has been a member of SNAP for 30 years now. He grew up in Missouri and said his parish priest abused him during his adolescent years of 12 to 16.
“It was always late at night, just the two of us usually on out-of-town trips, camping or skiing or canoeing,” he said. “I would wake up in the middle of the night and find him on top of me, pushing against me and frankly I was just frozen, I was terrified.”
Clohessy said he repressed the memories of his abuse, but decided to use his voice and take back his power. He filed a civil suit against the priest he says abused him, but that lawsuit ultimately went nowhere.
“For decades and decades, there were these rigid, frankly predator-friendly, deadlines that said if you were sexually abused as a kid, you’ve got five years from the time you turn 18 or three years from the time you turn 21. Gradually lawmakers are realizing that doesn’t work,” said Clohessy.
In a landmark decision, the Louisiana State Supreme Court upheld a 2021 law lifting the statute of limitations for suits alleging sexual abuse of a minor. This means victims of sexual abuse can now sue their abusers.
Clohessy travels the country, speaking to survivors and informing them of decisions such as this one.
“You know legal action, whether it’s criminal or civil, isn’t for everybody, and it certainly isn’t easy, but it can be very liberating for the suffering victim,” he said. “It certainly can protect other kids by letting parents know who and where the bad guys are.”
Clohessy said he wants to see the Catholic Church do better.
“When the church comes clean and admits who the predators are, frankly, it helps the church as well. It restores the faith of the flock in their leaders,” said Clohessy.
Clohessy said SNAP is about 30,000 members strong, men and women. He encourages anyone who has been abused to check out the organization. He said his life’s mission is to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded and has a message for any abuse victim who may see this report.
“You can stop it, and you can get better, but it’s not going to get better or stop on its own,” said Clohessy.
Clohessy said he encourages abuse victims to report their abuser to someone they trust, and someone who is not involved with the church.
For more information on SNAP, you can click here.