SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WSAU) - A Sheboygan priest will be honored today at a national gathering of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.

Father James Connell has become a strong advocate for victims of clergy sex abuse. He has criticized bishops and the church at large for the way the crisis was handled. He will receive the Millstone Award at a ceremony in Chicago. Connell has been working for the last two years with fellow priests in what is believed to be there first effort to pastor victims and help parishes heal the problems created by the abuse scandal.

Father Connell says he had an epiphany after SNAP had criticized the way he handled a case – and he has been speaking out on behalf of survivors ever since.