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	'Twist of Faith' Causes Controversy By Kim Nolan The Journal [St. Louis MO] September 8, 2005 The Winifred Moore Auditorium was filled Aug. 31 with pictures of St. Louis children. The pictures could've adorned any proud parent's mantel - a smiling, freckle-faced "All-American" son or daughter beaming with the radiance of childhood. But instead of illuminating childhood, these photos documented the age that their sexual abuse began. A white lace dress that hung among the photo display could've fit a 4-year-old. The display indicated a child wore this dress the day she was raped by a priest. This was the scene at the showing of "Twist of Faith," which was "pretty much a sell-out show," according to Mike Steinberg, director of the Webster University Film Series. Crying, gasping and clapping could be heard throughout the 225 people who filled the auditorium. Award-winning filmmaker Kirby Dick exposed a sexual abuse case in the Catholic diocese of Toledo, Ohio. Toledo firefighter Tony Comes relives his trauma in this 2005 documentary. Local members of Catholic group Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) took it upon themselves to organize a showing of the film, originally made for the cable network HBO and is nominated for an Academy Award. "We are here tonight as a support group for those abused by clergy," said Mary Ellen Kruger, a VOTF member. Members of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) were also in attendance to offer support and resources for sexual abuse victims. "I am grateful people respond to this horror not by turning away, but by facing it," said David Clohessy, executive director of SNAP, during the 40-minute discussion panel following the film. [Photo caption: After the film "Twist of Faith," panelists lead a discussion about the documentary and the Catholic faith. BRENT HOLZAPFEL/The Journal] Through a lens of anger, sadness and frustration, Comes details how he and other boys in his parish were seduced with alcohol and so-called freedom by priest Dennis Gray. Gray invited the boys on weekend trips to his cottage where he tricked, sodomized and raped them. "This is an important film demonstrating how people grapple with such horrific crimes," said Jennifer Joyce, St. Louis prosecuting attorney. In his direct style, Dick takes the audience from Comes' childhood into his current life as a husband and father of two. Viewers come to understand how the abuse haunts him even in his most intimate moments. The buried pain resurfaces when Comes discovers his abuser lives five doors down from him. "How can a person of conscience still be a Catholic?" asked one abuse victim in the crowd. VOTF Chairman Mike Pollard, struggling, did not have an answer, but another panelist did. "An organization with a billion people can be an incredible force of social justice," said VOTF panelist Steve Kymes, adding his organization is trying to start a process of reconciliation and healing for the church. Although priests, including The Rev. Steve Robeson, were asked to speak as part of the panel, none did. "The archbishop told me I am not the official voice of the diocese," Robeson said. "Monsignor Richard Sticka was asked to be here, but you can see we ended up having no priests' voice." Groups like SNAP and VOTF are aimed at helping victims start the healing process. Leaders of both groups agree that sharing one's story is a huge part in the recovery process. "The key to healing is disclosure," Clohessy said. "When people stay silent they stay stuck and they stay sick." The film documents Comes' first public sharing of his story at a SNAP meeting in St. Louis. "This is sometimes the only place people can confide," Kruger said. According to SNAP, more than 5,000 priests have been accused of molestation, 800 have been publicly removed and approximately 75 have been criminally prosecuted. "The abuse in the Catholic Church disgusts me," freshman Marjorie Sackman said. "These priests just don't get in trouble and it's upsetting." Like Comes, some victims are conflicted in pursuit of justice because of their loyalty to the church. Audience member Barbara Klump recalled her son's turn to suicide as a final way to deal with the trauma of being abused. "We have to hold onto our faith and believe we still have the church we grew up having," Klump said. Members of VOTF said they hoped victims would find their own voice and confidence in speaking out, after seeing Comes' journey in "Twist of Faith." "We are here tonight because people view the church as hopelessly corrupt," Kymes said. "We are dropping a pebble in the ocean hoping waves of reconciliation come from us." VOTF members claim its methods more effective than those used by psychotherapy because they are aimed at changing laws in order to protect children and help victims who decide to prosecute. "So often, the abused stand alone," Pollard said. "We are here to encourage support, community and compassion." The film's controversy continued to the last frame, which was ultimately cut. "This frame explained there is no effective accountability mechanism for complicit bishops," said David Clohessy, executive director of SNAP. "Church officials told the filmmaker to take this out or they would sue him." The film ends with Comes questioning his faith. "How are we going to unearth enough stories to stop this?" Robeson said. "Is this the tip of the iceberg?" "Twist of Faith" runs 87 minutes and will show Oct. 19 on HBO.