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Monday, July 25, 2005

Clergy abuse victims honored

Azusa, California -- --

Members of a support group for people molested by priests handed out leaflets Sunday outside St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in an effort to educate parishioners about clergy abuse.

The group distributed about 450 leaflets, which included an invitation to a July 31 memorial service at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles to honor victims of clergy abuse who have committed suicide.

"We believe if Catholics understand the effects of abuse on victims, they'd take more steps to reach out to victims and stop the cycle of abuse,' said Mary Grant, regional director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

In addition to St. Frances in Azusa, SNAP members handed out fliers at five other Catholic churches in Los Angeles and Orange counties on Sunday, according to SNAP.

"We selected these particular parishes because the Catholics (who worship there) have done very hurtful things to clergy molestation victims,' Grant said, citing parishioner support for convicted child molesters.

For instance, parishioners clashed with SNAP members at a 2002 protest outside St. Frances where the Rev. David Granadino was removed based on allegations he molested parish children.

No charges were filed against Granadino, who has not returned as pastor.

During a 2002 protest, churchgoers hurled insults at SNAP members and an Azusa woman was arrested for allegedly striking a protester.

Sunday's leafleting produced no such confrontations.

Read the article at Pasadena Star Dated July 17, 2005
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