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	Group Targets Salt Lake Priest Abuse Diocese Is Urged to Find, Support Those 'Still Suffering' By Lynn Arave Deseret Morning News [Salt Lake City UT] September 5, 2006 http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645199759,00.html A national organization of sexual abuse victims has urged the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City to launch a more vigorous effort to help find and support those "still suffering in shame and secrecy" from abusive priests. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, made their first-ever official visit to Utah this week. David Clohessy, SNAP's national director from St. Louis, said his group was in town partially because the Religion Newswriters Association is holding its annual conference in Salt Lake City this weekend. The other reason is because the Catholic leadership is in transition here. "Victims often come forward when they are invited to," Clohessy said in a press conference Thursday afternoon outside Salt Lake City's Catholic offices. Clohessy is also the brother of an abusive priest. SNAP presented the Salt Lake diocesan administrator, Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, with a two-page letter of recommendations. The letter asked Salt Lake Catholic leaders to post the names of all proven abusive priests on their Web site. SNAP also wants the diocese to work harder in outreach to victims; prod victims or witnesses to call police, not church officials; and to back legislative reforms that enable victims to expose their predators in court. "I told SNAP we are aware of their ideas," Monsignor Fitzgerald said. "We will consider them as far as they will help us." However, he said names of accused priests will not be released. The diocese is following the policy already set by former Bishop George Niederauer. "We think it's proper and fair," Monsignor Fitzgerald said. He also stressed that his diocese was the first in the nation to have official policies and procedures in place for abuse by priests, starting in 1989. SNAP's visit to the Diocese of Salt Lake City was unannounced, though known to the media. Clohessy was disappointed at the Catholic leader's response. Clohessy said false allegations against priests are always possible but statistically represent a very small minority. He'd like church leaders to treat accused priests in much the same way police officers accused of misusing force are handled. "No diocese is doing enough," he said. Regarding the issue of victims' families not wanting priests' names released, Clohessy said that's only an excuse, often misused and is rarely a legitimate reason. Robert Broks, formerly of Los Angeles and now living in Salt Lake City, was another SNAP member at the press conference. He stressed abuse by priests is not ancient history. It only seems so, because there is often a 30- to 40-year "gestation period" before victims come forward. He also said even though many priests are no longer serving as church leaders and likely have moved out of their service area, they are still out there and without professional help are not cured. Clohessy said at least 18 priests in the Salt Lake Diocese have been accused of abuse over the years. Bishop Niederauer said in 2002 that three Utah priests were being removed from the ministry after allegations of child sexual abuse. They were not identified. Two years later, he said that a total of 13 priests in Utah had been accused of sexual abuse from 1950-2004 and that none were still functioning as priests. He declined to name the men, this time at the request of the victims' families. More information on SNAP is available online at www.snapnetwork.org. E-mail: lynn@desnews.com
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