OWENSBORO — Gerald Payne said he takes comfort in talking to others who claim they have also been abused by priests.

        That's why the Owensboro businessman formed a local chapter of SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. The new chapter of the national support group will serve residents in Kentucky, southern Indiana and southern Illinois.

        “To have survived this and to know that there are others out there who have survived this too is so empowering,” Mr. Payne said at a news conference Tuesday. “It will get you onto the path to healing.”

        Mr. Payne, 45, filed suit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro in March. He claims he was abused by the Rev. Raymond Waldruff in 1968 while an 11-year-old altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Daviess County in western Kentucky. Father Waldruff died in 1985.

        Initially, Mr. Payne filed the suit without using his name. He later chose to come forward.

        He said he understands it will be difficult for people to join the support group.

        “If you're a survivor of this, you're suffering spiritually and mentally and emotionally,” Mr. Payne said. “I don't expect everybody to have the courage right now to be able to do that.”

        The SNAP chapter is open to people who have been abused by clergy and supporters of those who have been abused, but members can be from any religion. Mr. Payne said he will announce where the group will meet within the next month.

        The group will provide resources such as referrals to attorneys, psychiatrists and contacts at victims' rights organizations, Mr. Payne said.

        “You can't really get around it, over it, behind it. You've got to go through it to get to the other side to truly have it behind you,” said Richard Shapero, a Louisville attorney who will work with the group.

        Since January, 250 Catholic priests have been dismissed or have resigned because of allegations of sexual abuse. The church has had more than 300 lawsuits filed against it that allege sexual abuse.

        At least 130 suits have been filed against the Archdiocese of Louisville alone, claiming sexual abuse by priests and accusing the archdiocese of covering up the abuse.

        Owensboro Bishop John McRaith has acknowledged that he has not adequately reported allegations of sexual abuse to law enforcement in the past. He said Friday that the diocese will dismiss at least two priests, who are not serving as parish pastors, from the ministry by the end of this week.

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