Lawsuit settled, former SNAP director returns to the fight against abuse

ST. LOUIS (MO)
RNS

September 26, 2018

David Clohessy, a longtime leader with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, stood on a sidewalk near the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and told a group of reporters about nine Catholic priests who were named in a recent Pennsylvania grand jury report on child sex abuse.

The church removed these men from their parishes and sent them to the St. Louis area to live at Roman Catholic facilities that treat sexually abusive priests, according to SNAP, which aims to expose abusive clergy and provide support for victims.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has said the nine priests did not serve in any capacity locally.

But local Catholics were not told that abusive priests were living in the community, said Clohessy.

“They are among literally hundreds of predator priests from across the country who have been sent and spent time in St. Louis with virtually no warning to parents and parishioners,” Clohessy told reporters on Sept. 20.

Speaking to reporters about abuse is a familiar role for Clohessy.

But it’s also a new one.

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