Wichita ? Saying that sexual abuse by clergy crosses denominational lines, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita is setting up an ecumenical group for victims of such abuse.

“We’re taking the approach, ‘Build it and they will come,”‘ said the Rev. Paul Coakley, vice chancellor of the diocese. “We know that there’s a problem, we know that people have been hurt, and we want to help with the healing.”

But in working to establish the new group, the diocese continues to withhold its endorsement of an existing support group for Catholic victims of abuse.

For the past 18 months, a support group sponsored by the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests — or SNAP — has met in the Wichita area.

But the diocesan newspaper has not carried information about the group’s meetings, and the diocese has no immediate plans to endorse SNAP’s efforts.

“Our basic position is, until that group has a track record of positive healing, we’re not willing to give it an endorsement,” said Monsignor Robert Hemberger, interim administrator for the diocese. “I’d just love to hear from some of their people who have been through the process who say, ‘That was just the greatest thing that happened to me.”‘

The diocese’s stance disappointed Janet Patterson, coordinator of SNAP’s Kansas chapter.

“I don’t understand what their definition of ‘healing’ is,” Patterson said. “I think we can easily complement what they’re doing.”

However, a victim of sexual abuse by a former Catholic priest said he understood the diocese’s position.

“SNAP is about anger and hate and rage and vengeance and vindictiveness,” said Paul Schwartz, who was molested by former priest Robert Lawson while serving as an altar boy at a church in Newton. “You can’t go through life like that.”

Schwartz said he attended SNAP support group meetings in the Wichita area and in Kansas City.

“I do not endorse SNAP in any way, shape or form,” he said. “They’re not interested in healing. Their goal is to ‘get’ the Catholic Church.”

Patterson said justice was as important to SNAP as healing.

“I’m not out to persecute anyone who is innocent,” she said. “But I sure am out to get anyone who is guilty.”

No timetable has been established for setting up the ecumenical group, but the diocesan review board has had discussions with The Link-Up, a national advocacy organization for victims of clergy sexual abuse.

The new group should not be viewed as competition for SNAP, said Sue Archibald, national director of The Link-Up.

“I think our organizations complement each other rather than compete,” Archibald said. “The more resources there are for survivors, the better.”