PROTEST AT DIOCESE OF VENICE

PROTESTORS FROM THE SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS DESCENDED ON THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF VENICE YESTERDAY.  THEY SAID THEY CAME IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT ARREST OF PORT CHARLOTTE PRIEST BERNARD CHOJNACKI, WHO IS ACCUSED OF EXPOSING HIMSELF AND PROPOSITIONING AN UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE ON A BEACH IN SARASOTA COUNTY.  A SECOND VENICE-AREA PRIEST, WILLIAM WERT, IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING SEVERAL SEX OFFENSES ON A TEENAGE BOY.  MEMBERS OF THE GROUP KNOWN AS SNAP WANT THE CHURCH TO HELP FIND ANY OTHER POSSIBLE VICTIMS.  A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DIOCESE SAYS THEY ARE COOPERATING FULLY WITH AUTHORITIES IN BOTH INVESTIGATIONS.