Catholic Church Says Group's Claims Not True

Knoxville (WVLT) - A self help group called SNAP, the survivorsnetwork of those abused by priests, made their voice heard in Knoxvilleand across the country Sunday, the fifth anniversary of the sex abusescandal in the catholic church.

VolunteerTV's Stacy McCloud sat down with a leader from the Knoxville Diocesewho says some of the groups' claims are totally false.

On Sunday the group SNAP stood holding signs in front of the Diocese of Knoxville with a strong message.

"We'rehere, a small group, standing to represent hundreds and hundreds ofvictims of clergy sexual abuse across the state of Tennessee," SNAPCoordinator Susan Vance told WVLT Sunday.

Ifthat were the only reason they were standing here, Father VannJohnston, Chancellor of the Diocese of Knoxville, says he wouldn't'mind.

"We're always supportive of anyone who wants to help the innocent, those who have been harmed," Father Johnston says.

It's the details and statistics behind their message that he says he doesn't agree with.

Father Johnston says the message they are sending is filled with inaccurate and misleading facts about the Catholic Church.

"Iknow the Diocese of Knoxville has a very sound policy that we havefollowed consistently and it's one of the strongest with regard toresponding to any sexual abuse we become aware of," Father Johnstonsays.

But the self help group says enough isn't being done and that they continue to find victims daily.

"Therehave been priests assigned in almost every church across East Tennesseewho were perpetrating priests who did abuse," Vance says.

"Thatis totally false, totally untrue," a statement Father Johnston sayscouldn't be further from the truth. "There are no priests on assignmentthat have had any allegations against them"

FatherJohnston says Diocese policy specifically states if they were to everlearn of abuse in regard to a minor, they would be upfront in reportingit, and they would cooperate quickly and thoroughly with civilofficials to determine if their is basis to the claims.

FatherJohnston adds if anyone comes forward reporting abuse they also takespecial care to assist them in any sort of healing or help they mayneed.