SNAP:
Clergy abuse victims
still come forward, seek healing
SNAP was again a powerful presence at the CTA conference. Founder Barbara Blaine hosted a showing and discussion of the documentary film, Hand of God.
Michael Kuczynski, SNAP’s media liaison in Louisiana, told his own story in a workshop: violent sexual abuse at the hands of a layperson at his Catholic high school. Abused at age 15, he has chosen to remain a Roman Catholic.
While a sophomore at a Catholic high school he was molested, raped, beaten and threatened with castration by an employee of the athletic department. He told the school he had been abused but the offender worked for the school for three more years and had five other victims. Another student who was involved in the attack repeatedly intimidated him. He told his teacher but no one was disciplined.
Kuczynski said that victims hide their pain. The Church has been responsible for so many suicides and emotional harm to victims and their families but turns away and minimizes this at its peril. Its moral authority has been compromised.
The statutes of limitation are a barrier to civil and criminal prosecution because they are not long enough for victims since many cannot report their abuse for decades because of psychological impairment. Kuczynski began suffering panic attacks in 2002 but it was also the beginning of his healing. In May 2002 he contacted the high school where he was attacked for the purpose of discovering the truth, not to file a lawsuit. The school said no one remembered and responded with a conspiracy of silence. He received no satisfaction from the diocese. It stonewalled him. Everything had to be run past lawyers. He has been reimbursed for some therapy and medication but has often been treated with callousness.
Spiritual nourishment is crucial. Kuczynski participated in a bread and salt ceremony on the feast of the Holy Innocents. Paraliturgical events can be a sign of support for victims. Retreats conducted by survivors for parishes are another possibility so that victims can be heard by the institution. Visit www.SNAPnetwork.org for more information.