SNAP
of Tennessee
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests - Tennessee
Tip of the Iceberg Rally
When: September 29th between 11:00 a.m. and approximately 3:00 p.m CDT. Where: Nashville, Tennessee (We will meet at Centennial Park and walk to the cathedral for a press conference. After the press conference, we will walk back to Centennial Park, stopping by the site of Old Father Ryan High School on Elliston Place for a short moment of silence and thoughts from some of the survivors of abusive priests who taught at Father Ryan.) Who: All survivors of clergy abuse, their family, their friends, and their advocates. What: This is a gathering to express to the public that we have only begun to tell the story of clergy sexual abuse. We will have a press conference on the public sidewalk in front of the Cathedral of the Incarnation on West End Avenue. Click here to see the first email notification of the Tip of the Iceberg Rally sent to Tennessee friends of the survivors as well as the survivors themselves. This is tell why we need as many people present as can come to the Rally. |  |
The rally is not . . . . . .
- NOT a protest
- NOT a confrontation
- NOT a "yelling match" with the public
- NOT a gathering that will break any laws
- NOT a time to identify yourself publicly (unless you want to)
The rally is . . . .
- a time to get together with other survivors, family, friends, and supporters
- a time for survivors to know that we care
- a time for survivors to know that Tennessee has only seen the "tip of the iceberg" when we are talking about clergy sexual abuse
- a time to educate the public
- a time to speak or to keep silent (your choice
FAQ's about the "Tip of the Iceberg Rally"
How far will this walk be from Centennial Park to the Cathedral and back?
By what I can tell from Google Maps, it is 0.8 miles to the Cathedral from Centennial Park. Double that to 1.6 miles, and that is about how long it is. You can approximate to about 2 miles all together.
********************
Do I have to walk? I don't think I can walk that far.
Not a problem. We need some cars to drive over to our destination at the Cathedral for safety's sake anyway. Feel free to drive if you wish. We hope that many of the participants will because of the solidarity that it will show. However, please don't the walking issue keep you from participating. ALL ARE WELCOME.********************
I would like to talk to the press if we are given the chance. Is that possible?
We will have special name tags for those who wish to speak to the press (if the press wants to do so.) We will tell the press that if a person has one of these name tags, then they are willing to talk to them. If you do not choose to wear one of these identifying badges, then you will not be approached by the press.
********************
I don't want anyone to know I am a survivor of clergy abuse. I'm just not ready. Is that okay?
Sure. This is not for anyone to feel that they must talk about their abuse. There will hopefully be enough of a crowd of people that noone will need to know even who the survivors are. Hence, the name tag situation only for those who choose to speak to the press.
What will we do?
We will be having the press conference to bring up the issue of Paul St. Charles. Paul St. Charles represents what is wrong in the entire issue of clergy sexual abuse - both Catholic and non-Catholic.
Here are the key issues:
- Paul St. Charles was assigned in all three dioceses of Tennessee at one time.
- He was found credibly accused by the diocese of Memphis, and Bishop Steib accepted and implemented the advice of the Memphis diocesan review board to defrock St. Charles.
- St. Charles has active cases in the Shelby County (Memphis) courts as well as some settled cases.
- St. Charles retired approximately 20 years ago and has lived in Nashville, his home town, for almost the entire time. He has given youth retreats, said Mass, etc.
- Bishop Choby of Nashville will not take an active role in telling the people of Nashville that St. Charles is now a credibly accused priest and is being defrocked.
Centennial Park
We will gather in Centennial Park. I have tried to indicate where to meet on the map below. There will be more maps to come about there we will walk, etc. The green line indicates a good route from West End Avenue to the parking lot and meeting place.
Map of walk from the Cathedral of the Incarnation to site of Old Father Ryan High School at the corner of Elliston Place and 23rd Street
Paul St. Charles - preferred pedophile priest
Recent Videos
