Vigil spotlights abuse by clergy

Victimsof sexual abuse by priests will hold a vigil today at 5:30 p.m. at St.Patrick Catholic Church in downtown Madison, protesting what they calla continued coverup by the Catholic Church of sexual abuse by itsclergy.

Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests(SNAP) will hold similar vigils in more than 50 cities across thenation, including Green Bay and Milwaukee, in recognition of the fifthanniversary of a series of stories in the Boston Globe about sexualabuse by priests, often of children.

The group said it willhighlight two "particularly egregious cases," including that of theRev. Ryan Erickson, who reportedly killed two men in Hudson after oneof them apparently found out that Erickson was sexually abusing someone.

Thesecond case is that of the Rev. Robert Larsen, whose sexual abuse ofchildren led five of his victims to commit suicide, SNAP said.

Thosein the vigil at St. Patrick church, 404 E. Main St., will be holdingcandles, signs and childhood photos, the group said, and will ask thatbishops in the Catholic Church disclose all the names of priestsaccused of sexual abuse and to stop what SNAP calls "hardball legaltactics" by the church. They will also implore churches to displayphotos of several victims in churches across the nation.

"Innocentkids and vulnerable adults are still at risk, and church officials arestill reckless and secretive," said Barbara Blaine, the group'spresident and founder.

"Bishops are working harder than ever atpublic relations," Blaine said, "but fundamentally, they still protecttheir secrets more than they protect their flocks."

Erickson, 31,committed suicide in 2004 in Hurley after being questioned by policeabout the 2002 murders of Daniel O'Connell, 39, and James Ellison, 22,in the O'Connell family funeral home in Hudson in St. Croix County.Police and family members think that O'Connell had uncovered evidenceof Erickson's sexual abuse of someone and that Erickson providedalcohol to teens and that Erickson shot him because of it. Ellison wasan employee in the funeral home.

Today's vigils will be held in 23 states, the group said.