FLORIDA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release Thursday January 23, 2014

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com)

A Florida jury has awarded $12.5 million to a man who, as a child, was sexually abused by a Baptist minister. Earlier, another Florida jury found the Florida Baptist Convention liable for the crimes because it refused to take minimal prevention steps.

[Orlando Sentinel]

Despite widespread child sex crimes by Baptist ministers, relatively few civil lawsuit have been filed against Baptist churches. Ever-so-slowly, that’s beginning to change, thanks in part to brave individuals like this victim who found the strength to step forward and seek justice. We applaud him for his courage.

Just like Catholic bishops, Baptist officials have erected strong walls of secrecy, deceit, denial and legal defense to protect…