BishopAccountability.org
	Abuse Victims Protest Church of Priest Under Investigation WTEN-TV January 27, 2008 http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=7781371 This Sunday, victims of clergy sex abuse gathered outside Sacred Heart Church in Troy. They say they were there to expose what they were calling the "predatory behavior" of a local priest. But, the protestors themselves received an earful from parishioners as they made their way inside for services. One exchange heard from the street, went as followed: Protestor: "We are just trying to protect children," Parishioner: "We are too. We love children, and so does everybody," The protestors, aligned with S.N.A.P. (the Survivors' Network of those Abused by Priests), held signs referring to Father Gary Mercure. Last week, the Albany Diocese announced that Father Mercure had taken a voluntary leave of absence while the Diocese investigates allegations of sexual abuse against the priest, dating back to the mid-1980's. The protestors say the church was aware of the allegations, and others, years ago. "I would ask parishioners to try to listen to us instead of attacking us, there are too many people living in denial and it's got to end," said sexual abuse survivor, Tim Sawicki. Ken Goldfarb, of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, commented, "We've been encouraging anyone who may have been abused by a member of the clergy to come forward," Members of S.N.A.P. claim that at least six other survivors of abuse at the hands of Father Mercure have come forward, and that some of those men will attend a press conference on Monday.
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