BishopAccountability.org
 
  Crosier Victims to Attend Class Reunion

Mille Lacs County Times
July 9, 2009

http://millelacscountytimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2150&Itemid=31

The Crosier All-School Reunion on Saturday, July 11 in Onamia will include the “Empowerment Solidarity Gathering for Crosier Sexual Abuse Survivors.”

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold two events for victims of clergy sexual abuse by members of the Crosier Fathers and Brothers Religious Order. Both will be on Saturday, July 11.

The first event is a public outreach activity at noon.

There will be a silent one-hour vigil on the public sidewalk on Wall Street outside the calls reunion being held at the former Crosier Seminary in Onamia. Each person will be asked to hold childhood pictures of when they, their spouse, their loved one or a friend were sexually abused.

The purpose is to honor those who have been hurt by abusive clergy and reach out to others who have been molested and are trapped in shame, silence and self blame.

Organizers of the vigil, in honor and memory of victims of clergy sexual abuse by Crosiers, will hold pictures of those not able to join the vigil. Pictures can be sent to contacts listed at the end of this article.

Those interested in attending, should be willing to speak publicly and/or be photographed or filmed by media. And those who want to seek out and offer help and hope to others in pain.

SNAP Minnesota Director Bob Schwiderski is asking that classmates bring friends and call or e-mail classmates and ask them to join you at the vigil.

The second event is to a self help and support activity. A confidential support group meeting will be held where each person has a chance to share feelings and experiences, and can learn from and get strength and sympathy from one another.

The goal of the group meeting is to share pain, lighten the load, further recovery, and learn from one another ways to deal with and overcome the impact of trauma.

“Those who want to lead more healthy and happy lives, especially those who haven’t shared much of their abuse with loved ones or been in a lot of therapy,” Schwiderski said. “And for those who are loved ones of abuse victims.”

No media will be present for this group session.

For additional information contact Schwiderski at 952-471-3422 or: skibrs@mchsi.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it; Barbara Blaine, SNAP President at 312-399-4747 or: snapblaine@gmail.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it; David Clohessy, SNAP National Director 314-566-9790 or: snapclohessy@aol.com. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it; or Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director 314-862-7688 or: snapdorris@gmail.com.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.