Clergy Molestation Victims To Hold National Conference

Largest Support Group To Meet For Three Days In Denver 
They Gather On Eve of National Bishops' Meeting
SNAP Again Asks Prelates To Stop Secret Sex Abuse Sessions

Denver - Days before America's 300+ Catholic bishops meet behind closed doors in Denver, the nation's largest support group for clergy sexual abuse victims will gather to focus on healing and prevention.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is holding its annual national conference Friday June 11 though Sunday June 13 at Denver's Hyatt Regency Hotel. 
"As always, there will be plenty of tears," said SNAP Board Member Peter Isely of Milwaukee. "But the years of us suffering in shame, isolation and self-blame are over." 
Two years ago, under intense public pressure and media scrutiny, bishops crafted a plan to restore faith in their leadership. A key component of that plan was a promise to be more "open and transparent."
However, bishops will meet this time in total secrecy, despite pleas from SNAP and others to open the meeting to public observation and participation. 

"When they were promising to reform, bishops wanted the whole world watching," said Janet Patterson of Conway Springs Kansas, another board member. "But now, when they're backpedaling, they want no one watching."

Two years ago, bishops also pledged greater "dialogue" with victims' organizations. 

"Since then, however, we've had no contact with the Bishops Conference as a whole or its Committee on Sex Abuse - not one meeting, not one phone call," said SNAP president Barbara Blaine of Chicago. "It's definitely 'business as usual' for the bishops, with survivors being treated again as lepers." 

The theme of the SNAP's conference is "Our Truth is Our Strength."  Speakers include:

Jason Berry, investigative reporter and author of "Vows of Silence" and "Lead Us Not into Temptation" 
Fr. Thomas Doyle, canon lawyer, church whistleblower and survivor's advocate 
Richard Sipe, former Benedictine monk, expert witness researcher, and author of "Sex, Priests, and Power" 
David France, Newsweek reporter and author of "Our Fathers" 
Marilyn Van Derbur, author of "Miss America by Day: Lessons Learned from Ultimate Betrayal and Unconditional Love"
William H. Bowen, National Director, silentlambs.org (a support group for Jehovah's Witness victims)
Rob Scamardo, former defense attorney for the Diocese of Houston  

There will also be several support group meetings, and sessions on women survivors, adults abused by clergy, nun abuse, ritual abuse, spiritual issues in healing, abuse within other denominations, gay and lesbian issues, and building relationships with other sexual abuse prevention groups.

It also features a play from New York, The Tricky Part, written by and starring Martin Moran, telling the story of a survivor of sexual abuse at a Catholic summer camp near Denver.

"We advocate for abuse victims and seek accountability from those religious leaders responsible for so much pain," said Patterson. "But primarily, we offer comfort and support hundreds of survivors and their loved ones.  I believe this national conference will work towards that healing and send the message that 'our truth is our strength.'"

For more information:
David Clohessy of St. Louis (314) 566 9790 cell 
Barbara Blaine of Chicago (312) 399 4747 cell 
Mark Serrano of Leasburg VA (703) 771 9606, 703 727 4940 cell
Peter Isely of Milwaukee (414) 429 7259 
David Cerulli of New York (917) 757 1791 
Mary Grant of Los Angeles (626) 419 2930