LETTER From the National Director of SNAP To LI VOTF

Dear Dan and Pat:

This is a long overdue THANK YOU for initiating the Lost Sheep effort on Long Island to reach abuse survivors who are still struggling in shame, secrecy and self-blame. Several of us in SNAP leadership at the national level were excited when we first learned that your group was beginning this effort, and have been intending to write and express our gratitude for some time now. (Being in NY last week at the legislature and meeting several NYVOTF members prodded me to finally make the time to send this note.)

Our local SNAP leaders have nothing but positive things to say about this campaign and the sensitivity with which you and your members are carrying it out.

We at the national level have seen several of the newspaper stories about your vigils and leafletings. All of us appreciate what your affiliate is doing. (A Lost Sheep campaign anywhere has merit, of course. But given the horrific track record of the Rockville Centre diocese regarding abuse, it's even more crucial that we try to find and help the victims there.)

Experience has shown us that peaceful but visible events like this are beneficial in so many ways. Many survivors feel so much better knowing that some Catholics truly care and are translating their concern into concrete action. Catholics and non-Catholics are forced to think and talk about abuse as a result. Catholics and non-Catholics learn the names of and are warned about predators. Current and former church staff and members who have information about sex crimes by clergy may finally be inspired to speak up and call the police or prosecutor. And of course, some men and women who have suffered in silence for decades (we'll never know how many, of course) will finally tell their spouses or siblings, and begin the long, rocky road toward recovery. They'll get into therapy, they'll blame themselves less, they'll understand their self-destructive behavior better, they'll buy a self-help book, they'll start to address their addictions, they'll gradually begin to trust. . . . .all because they got a flyer from a VOTF member, saw a sign being held by a VOTF member, or read in a Long Island newspaper that VOTF members care.

Again, we are deeply grateful to you and your members for launching and following through on such a crucial and compassionate effort.

Please convey our appreciation to others in your affiliate, particularly those kind VOTF members who've stood out on the sidewalks trying to help abuse victims.

David Clohessy
National Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
7234 Arsenal
St. Louis MO 63143
314 566 9790