David Clohessy

"I remember how compassionately he treated about a dozen abuse survivors long ago, back when so many considered us fabulists or kooks," writes former SNAP co-director David Clohessy.

David Clohessy expects more legal action against bishops "not for the betrayals by predatory priests, but for the betrayals of bishops themselves, not for illegal sexual acts but illegal perfidy like 'breach of contract.' "

Pope Francis may be bold in other ways, but not so much when it comes to responding to sexual abuse, says David Clohessy of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Commentary: Catholics should vigorously spread the word about new legal opportunities for victims of sexual abuse. Yes, I'm arguing that parishioners should take steps that make clergy sex abuse lawsuits more likely.

Millions need and deserve help these days. But there is a group that could also use — and certainly deserves — help that is rarely mentioned these days: clergy sexual abuse survivors.

Perspective: In the spirit of the holiday season, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests finds it worth noting a couple of U.S. bishops who have distinguished themselves from their largely complacent and sometimes duplicitous colleagues when dealing with clergy sex crimes and cover-ups.

Commentary: There are solid, practical steps the U.S. bishops can take right now to protect kids, expose wrongdoers and heal the wounded — no Vatican approval necessary.