BishopAccountability.org
	Survivors Group Reaches out Priests' Abuse Spurred Action. By TJ Greaney Columbia Daily Tribune June 9, 2009 http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2009/jun/09/survivors-group-reaches-out/ When he was 9 years old, Don Asbee's parents thought it was wonderful that the priest at their church in Milton, Pa., had taken such an interest in him. Asbee's father was often away on business, and his mother thought he needed a male role model. But Asbee now realizes his isolated position made him an easy mark for a pedophile. He and one of his closest friends — both church altar boys — spent the next four years being bullied and raped by predatory priests, he said. "My childhood was basically stolen from me," he said. Asbee eventually moved away, began a career as a metal sculptor and pushed the memories deep inside. His friend committed suicide at age 20. "There is so much shame attached to the experience. Because, in my case, the priests were telling me basically that I brought it on myself through my sinfulness," said Asbee, who lives in Hartsburg. "I experienced the manipulation through the guilt. And the shame just eats you up." Now Asbee and others are hoping to transform the shame they kept secret for so long into a source of strength. By sharing their stories, they hope they can encourage others to speak out. A newly formed Mid-Missouri chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests will help make this possible when it holds its first meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Wakonda Center, 2100 E. Broadway, Suite 315. The group is primarily a support group, but a therapist also will attend. Although the group was formed by victims of abuse by Catholic priests, it is open to victims of any type of sexual abuse. It is the third chapter of SNAP formed in Missouri, following groups in Kansas City and St. Louis. SNAP was formed in Chicago in 1989 and has 9,000 members nationwide. Michael Wegs of Marion, Iowa, believes the group is badly needed in this area. Wegs is one of several people who say they were molested by Bishop Anthony O'Connell at St. Thomas High School Seminary in Hannibal in the late 1960s and early '70s. His experience has led him to suspect there are many more in Mid-Missouri hiding stories of abuse. "A lot of people just bury it," he said. Wegs said 10 people have come forward reporting abuse at St. Thomas in that era, and he believes there is mounting evidence of other serial abusers in Jefferson City and Moberly. He settled a lawsuit with O'Connell and the Diocese of Jefferson City in 2004 for $30,000. Wegs said the SNAP group will be a place where victims can share their stories without fear of scorn. "Studies that have been done about this abuse by a religious authority show that it is no different than incest," he said. "One person might believe you; one person might feel sorry for you; but all the rest are going to call you a liar." Wegs also hopes the local SNAP chapter will spur action and accountability from others in positions of authority in the Diocese of Jefferson City. He claims many authority figures helped cover up O'Connell's abuse for years until his resignation in 2002. "For me, it was not about revenge," Wegs said of his motivation for speaking out. "But it was a way of exorcising the demons of the past." Asbee, too, hopes the group will spur other victims to come forward. "I'm pretty darned confident" they're out there, "or I wouldn't be putting this much energy into it," he said. Reach T.J. Greaney at 573-815-1719 or e-mail tjgreaney@columbiatribune.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.