BishopAccountability.org
	Voice for Victims of Clergy Abuse to Visit Clohessy Will Speak Tomorrow Evening By Peter Smith The Courier-Journal [Louisville KY] May 10, 2006 http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060510/NEWS01/605100429/1008/NEWS01 A nationally known advocate for victims of clergy sexual abuse will speak tomorrow to the Louisville chapter of Voice of the Faithful, which seeks reforms in the Catholic Church. David Clohessy is national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barn, behind the Passionist monastery at 1924 Newburg Road. Clohessy, who was abused by a priest as a boy, has been an advocate for victims for years. He spoke at the historic 2002 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Dallas, where bishops adopted stricter policies on abusers amid a nationwide crisis over revelations that they had covered up abusers in their ranks. Clohessy said in a phone interview that he will discuss "the need for continued vigilance and legislative reform." Citing recent revelations about abuse in Chicago and Los Angeles, he said, "It's becoming more and more clear that bishops' so-called reforms are at worst hollow and at best unenforced." Vince Grenough of the local Voice of the Faithful chapter said Clohessy brings an important message. "Hopefully, it will increase people's understanding of what it is like for a victim to be a victim of sexual abuse by someone who's supposed to be trusted," he said. "My hope is out of this will be coming some healing." Earlier tomorrow, Clohessy and local victims plan to visit various sites in the archdiocese where sexual abuse of children is known to have occurred. Reporter Peter Smith can be reached at (502) 582-4469.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.