For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 29, 2008
Sex abuse victims respond to Bishop Braxton's hurtful letter and selfish legal maneuver
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home)
If Bishop Braxton truly wants to heal the wounded and protect the vulnerable, he should take three immediate steps.
First, he should immediately and publicly apologize to Jim Wisniewski. In a letter sent to southern Illinois parishes this weekend, Braxton called Jim "an alleged victim." This is wrong, hurtful and intimidating.
It's wrong because Jim is NOT an alleged victim. An impartial jury heard the evidence, and found that he WAS molested by Fr. Raymond Kownacki. Furthermore, Catholic officials never even disputed this.
It's hurtful because what many victims want and need most is validation – they need to be assured that people believe them and understand that their suffering is severe. To call a proven victim an alleged victim is to minimize the devastating that Jim has endured and the pain that he is enduring.
Finally, it's intimidating because other victims may well be tempted to keep silent in the face of this harshness and insensitivity. "Why bother speaking up and exposing my predator?" a victim might ask. "Even if a jury finds that my abuse happened, church officials will still doubt me and use words like 'alleged.'"
In the spring, during his US visit, Pope Benedict couldn't have been more clear. Catholics should "do everything possible" to heal the wounds cause by clergy sexual abuse. Braxton, instead, is exacerbating those wounds. He should apologize.
Second, Braxton should 'come clean' about diocesan finances. He can't have his cake and eat it too, claiming the verdict will harm his diocese while offering not a shred of evidence. Maybe years ago, parishioners and the public took a bishop at his word on such matters, but no more. In fact, it's prudent to assume Braxton is not being honest here, because he's been dishonest about so much – his improper spending and Fr. Real Bourque, to cite just two examples. It also important to remember that diocesan staff said under oath that the diocese earns more than 3.5 million each year just on interest alone. That simple fact shows Braxton's being deceptive when he feigns 'poverty.'
Finally, Braxton should sit down with us before he take the final step of formally appealing this verdict.
We in SNAP asked to meet with Braxton 2.5 years ago. We never even got the courtesy of a reply. We are renewing our request to meet with him for several reasons.
First, we aren't sure he's even ever talked with one abuse victim.
Second, his diocese faces a $5 million dollar jury verdict precisely because bishops like him have distanced themselves from victims like us. They've shunned, us, rebuffed us, ignored us, and 'delegated' us to their underlings. (We aren't confident that bishops meeting with victims will make a difference. We are, however, confident that something must change, and that bishops hiding behind their desks, 'busy schedules,' lawyers and public relations staff is NOT working.)
Third, we feel duty bound to do everything we can to spare Jim and his family more pain. They are heroes. They have suffered enough. If, on the slim chance we might be able to get through to Braxton, we might persuade him to do anything to reduce this brave family's agony, or stop adding to it, we feel we have an obligation to try.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been around for 17 years and have more than 8,000 members across the country. Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact -- David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747),
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Coordinator (314) 862 7688
Monday, September 29, 2008
Talk, Q&A, and Book signing with Angela Bonavoglia
Native Daughter Angela Bonavoglia
Comes Home to Scranton to talk about her latest book--
"Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church"
WHAT: Talk, Q&A and Book Signing
WHERE: Anthology: New and Used Books, Casey Laundry Building, 2nd Floor, 515 Center Street, Scranton, PA 18503
WHEN: Saturday evening, October 4, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CONTACT: Andrea Talarico, 570-341-1443
Angela Bonavoglia is an award-winning journalist and author, nationally recognized for her writing about women and the Catholic Church. A cradle Catholic, former parishioner of St. Ann's Church and student at St. Ann's elementary school, Bonavoglia interviewed nearly 150 Catholic women change-makers for her provocative book, Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church (HarperCollins). They are young and old, nuns and lay, married and single. Backed by supporters worldwide, they are rethinking Catholic theology, changing the face of ministry, and resurrecting the lost lives of female Church leaders. They are working to open ordination to all, challenging the Church's sexual repression, and calling the Church to openness and accountability.
Bonavoglia's article, "The Church's Tug of War," about women as an invisible force for reform in the Roman Catholic Church, was the lead article in The Nation in the wake of the clergy sex abuse scandals of 2002. It provided a fresh analysis of the role of women in progressive Church reform at an unprecedented moment in American Church history and became the basis for Bonavoglia's latest book.
Bonavoglia has toured the country speaking about women and Catholic Church reform, on college campuses and in lecture halls, from Catholic altars and in a convent, in parish basements and people's homes. She has only been banned once, by Paterson, NJ bishop Arthur Seratelli, who forbade her to speak in any Catholic venue in his diocese.
In addition, Bonavoglia has been a guest on nearly 60 television and radio shows talking about women and Church reform, and her articles and op-eds have appeared in such outlets as The Nation, the Chicago Tribune, Newsday, the Miami Herald, the National Catholic Reporter, Salon.com and Ms., where she was a longtime contributing editor. In Does the Pope Care About Workers' Rights? (The Nation) and Ask Benedict: Is Union Busting Catholic? - Politics on The Huffington Post, Bonavoglia reported earlier this year on the struggles of Catholic teachers' unions, including the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers.
Bonavoglia also authored The Choices We Made: 25 Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion. With a foreword by Gloria Steinem, it includes Bonavoglia's interviews with such celebrities as Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Moreno, Polly Bergen, and Kathy Najimy, and was featured on Oprah.
As conflict rages in Scranton among Church authorities, politicians and ordinary Catholics over what it means to be Catholic, and that conflict garners national attention, it is more important than ever to bring the work of these devoted and courageous Catholic women out into the world, to represent the other Catholic voice.
Email author: angela@GoodCatholicGirls.com.
Website: www.angelabonavoglia.com.
Comes Home to Scranton to talk about her latest book--
"Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church"
WHAT: Talk, Q&A and Book Signing
WHERE: Anthology: New and Used Books, Casey Laundry Building, 2nd Floor, 515 Center Street, Scranton, PA 18503
WHEN: Saturday evening, October 4, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CONTACT: Andrea Talarico, 570-341-1443
Angela Bonavoglia is an award-winning journalist and author, nationally recognized for her writing about women and the Catholic Church. A cradle Catholic, former parishioner of St. Ann's Church and student at St. Ann's elementary school, Bonavoglia interviewed nearly 150 Catholic women change-makers for her provocative book, Good Catholic Girls: How Women Are Leading the Fight to Change the Church (HarperCollins). They are young and old, nuns and lay, married and single. Backed by supporters worldwide, they are rethinking Catholic theology, changing the face of ministry, and resurrecting the lost lives of female Church leaders. They are working to open ordination to all, challenging the Church's sexual repression, and calling the Church to openness and accountability.
Bonavoglia's article, "The Church's Tug of War," about women as an invisible force for reform in the Roman Catholic Church, was the lead article in The Nation in the wake of the clergy sex abuse scandals of 2002. It provided a fresh analysis of the role of women in progressive Church reform at an unprecedented moment in American Church history and became the basis for Bonavoglia's latest book.
Bonavoglia has toured the country speaking about women and Catholic Church reform, on college campuses and in lecture halls, from Catholic altars and in a convent, in parish basements and people's homes. She has only been banned once, by Paterson, NJ bishop Arthur Seratelli, who forbade her to speak in any Catholic venue in his diocese.
In addition, Bonavoglia has been a guest on nearly 60 television and radio shows talking about women and Church reform, and her articles and op-eds have appeared in such outlets as The Nation, the Chicago Tribune, Newsday, the Miami Herald, the National Catholic Reporter, Salon.com and Ms., where she was a longtime contributing editor. In Does the Pope Care About Workers' Rights? (The Nation) and Ask Benedict: Is Union Busting Catholic? - Politics on The Huffington Post, Bonavoglia reported earlier this year on the struggles of Catholic teachers' unions, including the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers.
Bonavoglia also authored The Choices We Made: 25 Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion. With a foreword by Gloria Steinem, it includes Bonavoglia's interviews with such celebrities as Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Moreno, Polly Bergen, and Kathy Najimy, and was featured on Oprah.
As conflict rages in Scranton among Church authorities, politicians and ordinary Catholics over what it means to be Catholic, and that conflict garners national attention, it is more important than ever to bring the work of these devoted and courageous Catholic women out into the world, to represent the other Catholic voice.
Email author: angela@GoodCatholicGirls.com.
Website: www.angelabonavoglia.com.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
“Nuns Molest Too,” Say Three Victims
For immediate release: Saturday, September 27, 2008
“Nuns Molest Too,” Say Three Victims
Their Cases Against Catholic Religious Order Are Settled
For Decades, Nun Molested Girls in Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska
Victims Prod Others Who “Are Suffering in Shame and Silence” To Come Forward
It May Be the First Time Several Victims Have Sued for Crimes by One Pedophile Nun
WHAT
“Nuns Molest Too,” Say Three Victims
Their Cases Against Catholic Religious Order Are Settled
For Decades, Nun Molested Girls in Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska
Victims Prod Others Who “Are Suffering in Shame and Silence” To Come Forward
It May Be the First Time Several Victims Have Sued for Crimes by One Pedophile Nun
WHAT
Distributing fliers outside a Catholic church, three women will
--speak publicly about the child molestation they suffered at the hands of a Chicago Catholic nun, and;
--strongly plead with others who were assaulted by nuns to come forward, expose predators and protect kids.
The three just settled their civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against the religious order of the nun who abused them.
WHEN
--speak publicly about the child molestation they suffered at the hands of a Chicago Catholic nun, and;
--strongly plead with others who were assaulted by nuns to come forward, expose predators and protect kids.
The three just settled their civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against the religious order of the nun who abused them.
WHEN
Saturday, Sept. 27, 11:00 a.m.
WHERE
WHERE
Outside Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street (at corner of Superior) in Chicago
WHO
WHO
Three victims and a the founder of a nationwide support group for clergy sex abuse victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) and a few supporters
WHY
WHY
Sr. Benen Kent was sued for repeatedly sexually abusing three girls in the mid-1960s at St. Juliana’s Catholic School in Chicago and elsewhere. According to their civil lawsuits, Kent’s supervisors knew Kent suffered from mental illness and had behaved questionably with children. Yet church officials moved the nun and let her continue to work around kids.
The victims, now in their 40s and 50s, include two sisters who are letting their names be used publicly: Christine Bertrand of Sierra Madre CA and Karen Britten of Highland Park IL. The third woman is anonymous.
All of them believe sexual abuse by nuns is far more widespread than Catholics realize and want to encourage others who’ve been hurt by Catholic sisters to break their silence and start to recover.
Their suits were filed 2005 and 2006 in Olmsted County (MN) District Court, in part because Kent belonged to a Rochester MN-based religious order called the Sisters of St. Francis. A judge tossed out Britten’s case because of the statute of limitations, and last year the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld that decision.
Kent, who was a music and piano teacher, died in 2003 at the age of 85.
Two of the women were also abused at the order’s headquarters in Minnesota. All were represented by Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell).
http://www.startribune.com/local/29748154.html?page=1&c=y
The victims, now in their 40s and 50s, include two sisters who are letting their names be used publicly: Christine Bertrand of Sierra Madre CA and Karen Britten of Highland Park IL. The third woman is anonymous.
All of them believe sexual abuse by nuns is far more widespread than Catholics realize and want to encourage others who’ve been hurt by Catholic sisters to break their silence and start to recover.
Their suits were filed 2005 and 2006 in Olmsted County (MN) District Court, in part because Kent belonged to a Rochester MN-based religious order called the Sisters of St. Francis. A judge tossed out Britten’s case because of the statute of limitations, and last year the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld that decision.
Kent, who was a music and piano teacher, died in 2003 at the age of 85.
Two of the women were also abused at the order’s headquarters in Minnesota. All were represented by Minnesota attorney Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell).
http://www.startribune.com/local/29748154.html?page=1&c=y
VISUALS: Victims have childhood photo of them with the nun.
CONTACT Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder and President 312 399 4747 David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home Jeff Anderson, of St Paul, Attorney for the victims, 612 817 8665
CONTACT Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder and President 312 399 4747 David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home Jeff Anderson, of St Paul, Attorney for the victims, 612 817 8665
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sex Abuse Cases Against Catholic Nun & Religious Order Are Settled
For immediate release:
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sex Abuse Cases Against Catholic Nun & Religious Order Are Settled
For Decades, She Molested Girls in Worked In Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois
Three Victims Filed Civil Lawsuits in 2005 and 2006; Predator is Now Deceased
It May Be the First Time Several Victims Have Sued for Crimes by One Pedophile Nun
WHAT
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sex Abuse Cases Against Catholic Nun & Religious Order Are Settled
For Decades, She Molested Girls in Worked In Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois
Three Victims Filed Civil Lawsuits in 2005 and 2006; Predator is Now Deceased
It May Be the First Time Several Victims Have Sued for Crimes by One Pedophile Nun
WHAT
At a news conference, three women will speak publicly for the first time. They were sexually abused by a Catholic nun and just settled their civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits against her Minnesota-based religious order.
WHEN
WHEN
Thursday, Sept. 25, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE
WHERE
At the law offices of Jeff Anderson, 366 Jackson Street, Suite 100, in downtown St. Paul
WHO
WHO
Three victims and a prominent Minnesota attorney who represents hundreds of other men and women who were abused as kids by teachers, coaches, ministers, and other authority figures.
WHY
WHY
Sr. Benen Kent, a nun with Rochester-based religious order called the Sisters of St. Francis, was sued for repeatedly sexually abusing three girls in the mid-1960s at St. Juliana’s Catholic School in Chicago and elsewhere. According to the lawsuits, Kent’s supervisors knew Kent suffered from mental illness and had behaved questionably with children. Yet they moved her and let her continue to work around kids.
The victims, now in their 40s and 50s, include two sisters who are letting their names be used publicly: Christine Bertrand of Sierra Madre CA, Karen Britten of Highland Park IL. The third woman is anonymous.
The lawsuits were filed 2005 and 2006 in Olmsted County District Court. A judge tossed out Britten’s case because of the statute of limitations, and last year the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld that decision.
Kent, who was a music and piano teacher, died in 2003 at the age of 85.
Bertrand and the anonymous woman report that they were also abused at the order’s headquarters in Rochester MN.
CONTACT:
Attorney Jeff Anderson of St. Paul 651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell
The victims, now in their 40s and 50s, include two sisters who are letting their names be used publicly: Christine Bertrand of Sierra Madre CA, Karen Britten of Highland Park IL. The third woman is anonymous.
The lawsuits were filed 2005 and 2006 in Olmsted County District Court. A judge tossed out Britten’s case because of the statute of limitations, and last year the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld that decision.
Kent, who was a music and piano teacher, died in 2003 at the age of 85.
Bertrand and the anonymous woman report that they were also abused at the order’s headquarters in Rochester MN.
CONTACT:
Clergy Sex Abuse Group Founder Heads to Europe
For immediate release: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Clergy Sex Abuse Group Founder Heads to Europe
He'll Meet with Government Officials & Abuse Organizations in 2 Countries
Man Will Also Visit Grave of Suicide Victim Who Was Raped by Jehovah's
Witness
WHAT:
At a sidewalk news conference, the founder and head of a support group for those molested in the Jehovah's Witness faith will
-- describe his upcoming eight day European trip to meet with political and non-governmental agencies and work on preventing clergy sex abuse, and
-- discuss his organization's outreach effort to find and help more me and women who have been sexually assaulted by Jehovah's Witnesses.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 25, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Outside a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall, 6020 O'Brien Ave. (corner of Eastboro Dr.), Nashville, TN (615-356-6580)
WHO:
A Madison man who started SilentLambs.org, a nationwide group that helps men and women who were sexually assaulted as kids by Jehovah's Witnesses
VISUAL:
He'll show a pile of documents and records of abuse cases he'll bring to Europe & share with leaders there.
WHY:
In 2001, William H. Bowen founded SilentLambs.org, which has helped 6,000 victims of sexually abusive Jehovah's Witnesses.
http://www.silentlambs.org/NationalPresspacket.htm
From September 27 - October 3, he'll travel to France and Belgium and meet with a wide range of organizations that deal with child sexual abuse, including a commission (the MIVILUDE) which is attached to the French Prime Minister, a Parisian MP who chairs a parliamentary group studying cults and sectarian groups, two non-profits (the Organization for the Protection of Environment of Deyvillers and the ADFI, a support group for abuse survivors) and the Mayor of Louviers (all in France).
He'll also meet with the European Commission in Brussels and top staffers at the Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters in both countries).
Seven years ago, Bowen reported to fellow Jehovah's Witness church officials that another elder was a confessed child molester. (That
predator remains a Jehovah's Witness in good standing to this day.)
Bowen was then ostracized by fellow church members and went on to start SilentLambs.org.
CONTACT: William H. Bowen of Nashville, founder of SilentLambs.org 270-703-2257 cell, 270-527-5350, David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAPnational director 314-566-9790 cell
Clergy Sex Abuse Group Founder Heads to Europe
He'll Meet with Government Officials & Abuse Organizations in 2 Countries
Man Will Also Visit Grave of Suicide Victim Who Was Raped by Jehovah's
Witness
WHAT:
At a sidewalk news conference, the founder and head of a support group for those molested in the Jehovah's Witness faith will
-- describe his upcoming eight day European trip to meet with political and non-governmental agencies and work on preventing clergy sex abuse, and
-- discuss his organization's outreach effort to find and help more me and women who have been sexually assaulted by Jehovah's Witnesses.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 25, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Outside a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall, 6020 O'Brien Ave. (corner of Eastboro Dr.), Nashville, TN (615-356-6580)
WHO:
A Madison man who started SilentLambs.org, a nationwide group that helps men and women who were sexually assaulted as kids by Jehovah's Witnesses
VISUAL:
He'll show a pile of documents and records of abuse cases he'll bring to Europe & share with leaders there.
WHY:
In 2001, William H. Bowen founded SilentLambs.org, which has helped 6,000 victims of sexually abusive Jehovah's Witnesses.
http://www.silentlambs.org/NationalPresspacket.htm
From September 27 - October 3, he'll travel to France and Belgium and meet with a wide range of organizations that deal with child sexual abuse, including a commission (the MIVILUDE) which is attached to the French Prime Minister, a Parisian MP who chairs a parliamentary group studying cults and sectarian groups, two non-profits (the Organization for the Protection of Environment of Deyvillers and the ADFI, a support group for abuse survivors) and the Mayor of Louviers (all in France).
He'll also meet with the European Commission in Brussels and top staffers at the Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters in both countries).
Seven years ago, Bowen reported to fellow Jehovah's Witness church officials that another elder was a confessed child molester. (That
predator remains a Jehovah's Witness in good standing to this day.)
Bowen was then ostracized by fellow church members and went on to start SilentLambs.org.
CONTACT: William H. Bowen of Nashville, founder of SilentLambs.org 270-703-2257 cell, 270-527-5350, David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAPnational director 314-566-9790 cell
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Murderous priest case tossed out, Sex abuse victims respond
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
Murderous priest case tossed out, Sex abuse victims respond
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503
0003 cell)
It's heart-breaking that there's apparently no justice for this
suffering family who lost a loved one to a murderous, child-molesting
priest.
Catholic officials had repeated warnings and evidence that Erickson was
a very sick, angry, violent pedophile. Yet they ordained him and hired
him and transferred and deceived parishioners into believing that he was
a holy, celibate priest.
We hope the Ellisons will continue to try to hold the church hierarchy
accountable for Erickson's devastating crimes. And we hope that others
who were hurt by Erickson and other Wisconsin clerics will come forward
and get help.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's
oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been
around for 17 years and have more than 8,000 members across the country.
Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were
molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns,
rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact:
David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter Isely
(414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris
(314-862-7688), Mary Grant (626-419-2930), Mark Serrano (703-727-4940)
Judge rejects wrongful death lawsuit
Associated Press - 6:42 AM CDT, September 24, 2008
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - A western Wisconsin judge has dismissed a wrongful
death lawsuit filed by the parents of a man who was killed by a priest.
Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron filed a lawsuit in St. Croix County
Circuit Court against the Catholic Diocese of Superior over the death of
their 22-year-old son, James Ellison. He was fatally shot along with
39-year-old Dan O'Connell in 2002 at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home
in Hudson.
Eau Claire County Judge Paul Lenz handled the case. He says it's "too
remote" to think the diocese would have had any reason to believe the
Rev. Ryan Erickson would kill someone.
Erickson was removed from St. Patrick Church in Hudson, moved to
Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he hanged himself in 2004. A St. Croix
County judge ruled in 2005 that Erickson murdered both men because he
was afraid O'Connell would report Erickson's obsession with young boys,
alcohol and firearms to church officials.
Information from: Leader-Telegram, http://www.leadertelegram.com/
Updated: 9/23/2008
Lawsuit rejected in case of priest who killed two
By Chuck Rupnow, Leader-Telegram staff
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron
against the Catholic Diocese of Superior for the murder of their son by
a priest was dismissed Tuesday afternoon in a summary judgment by Eau
Claire County Judge Paul Lenz. Lenz, in an oral ruling, said it was "too
remote" to think the diocese would have any reason to believe the Rev.
Ryan Erickson would kill someone based on the information it had before
the double murder occurred.
Even if the diocese did have information about Erickson's suspected
temper, child pornography and violent tendencies, Lenz said, "it would
appear such negligence would not have brought about such harm."
The Ellisons of Barron said they filed the suit to hold the diocese
accountable and to spur changes regarding who it accepts as priests and
how it handles priests who might be unfit to serve.
Any monetary awards from the lawsuit would have gone to the James
Ellison Foundation for the Protection of Children, an organization to
protect children from sexual abuse and provide aftercare to those assaulted.
James Ellison, 22, and Dan O'Connell, 39, were shot to death Feb. 5,
2002, inside the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson.
O'Connell was a co-owner in the family business, while Ellison was a
mortuary science student who was interning there and was expected to
join the business full time after graduating from the University of
Minnesota.
The murder remained unsolved for years. Erickson was removed from St.
Patrick Church in Hudson, moving to Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he
hanged himself outside that parish in December 2004, according to court
and police records. He was 31.
St. Croix County Judge Eric Lundell ruled in October 2005 Erickson
murdered both men because he was afraid O'Connell would report
Erickson's obsession with young boys, alcohol and firearms to church
officials.
The Ellisons' lawsuit was filed in St. Croix County Court. Lenz was
assigned the case. The suit requests unspecified damages for loss of
society and companionship, funeral costs and medical expenses.
"We are obviously disappointed," said attorney Richard Jasperson of St.
Paul, who represented the Ellisons in the lawsuit, adding it was
premature to discuss appealing the case. "We will do whatever is in the
best interest of the Ellisons."
Attorney Kyle Torvinen of Superior, who represented the diocese, said
Tuesday that Lenz's decision was appropriate and "justice was done, and
we're glad of that. It has been a long road."
The Ellisons did not participate in a lawsuit filed by O'Connell's
relatives against all 194 U.S. Catholic bishops. That suit demanded
names of predatory priests be made public.
Washburn County Judge Eugene Harrington threw that case out earlier this
year, saying the Superior diocese can't be forced to release information
about how the church deals with sex abuse by its priests.
Harrington called the O'Connells' lawsuit an "ambitious request" and
dismissed the case.
The injunction the family sought "has no foundation under Wisconsin
law," Harrington wrote, and to force the church to change its policies
"infringes upon the First Amendment."
Rupnow can be reached at 830-5831, 800-236-7077 or chuck. rupnow@ecpc.com.
Murderous priest case tossed out, Sex abuse victims respond
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503
0003 cell)
It's heart-breaking that there's apparently no justice for this
suffering family who lost a loved one to a murderous, child-molesting
priest.
Catholic officials had repeated warnings and evidence that Erickson was
a very sick, angry, violent pedophile. Yet they ordained him and hired
him and transferred and deceived parishioners into believing that he was
a holy, celibate priest.
We hope the Ellisons will continue to try to hold the church hierarchy
accountable for Erickson's devastating crimes. And we hope that others
who were hurt by Erickson and other Wisconsin clerics will come forward
and get help.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's
oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been
around for 17 years and have more than 8,000 members across the country.
Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were
molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns,
rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact:
David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter Isely
(414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris
(314-862-7688), Mary Grant (626-419-2930), Mark Serrano (703-727-4940)
Judge rejects wrongful death lawsuit
Associated Press - 6:42 AM CDT, September 24, 2008
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - A western Wisconsin judge has dismissed a wrongful
death lawsuit filed by the parents of a man who was killed by a priest.
Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron filed a lawsuit in St. Croix County
Circuit Court against the Catholic Diocese of Superior over the death of
their 22-year-old son, James Ellison. He was fatally shot along with
39-year-old Dan O'Connell in 2002 at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home
in Hudson.
Eau Claire County Judge Paul Lenz handled the case. He says it's "too
remote" to think the diocese would have had any reason to believe the
Rev. Ryan Erickson would kill someone.
Erickson was removed from St. Patrick Church in Hudson, moved to
Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he hanged himself in 2004. A St. Croix
County judge ruled in 2005 that Erickson murdered both men because he
was afraid O'Connell would report Erickson's obsession with young boys,
alcohol and firearms to church officials.
Information from: Leader-Telegram, http://www.leadertelegram.com/
Updated: 9/23/2008
Lawsuit rejected in case of priest who killed two
By Chuck Rupnow, Leader-Telegram staff
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Carsten and Sally Ellison of Barron
against the Catholic Diocese of Superior for the murder of their son by
a priest was dismissed Tuesday afternoon in a summary judgment by Eau
Claire County Judge Paul Lenz. Lenz, in an oral ruling, said it was "too
remote" to think the diocese would have any reason to believe the Rev.
Ryan Erickson would kill someone based on the information it had before
the double murder occurred.
Even if the diocese did have information about Erickson's suspected
temper, child pornography and violent tendencies, Lenz said, "it would
appear such negligence would not have brought about such harm."
The Ellisons of Barron said they filed the suit to hold the diocese
accountable and to spur changes regarding who it accepts as priests and
how it handles priests who might be unfit to serve.
Any monetary awards from the lawsuit would have gone to the James
Ellison Foundation for the Protection of Children, an organization to
protect children from sexual abuse and provide aftercare to those assaulted.
James Ellison, 22, and Dan O'Connell, 39, were shot to death Feb. 5,
2002, inside the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson.
O'Connell was a co-owner in the family business, while Ellison was a
mortuary science student who was interning there and was expected to
join the business full time after graduating from the University of
Minnesota.
The murder remained unsolved for years. Erickson was removed from St.
Patrick Church in Hudson, moving to Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he
hanged himself outside that parish in December 2004, according to court
and police records. He was 31.
St. Croix County Judge Eric Lundell ruled in October 2005 Erickson
murdered both men because he was afraid O'Connell would report
Erickson's obsession with young boys, alcohol and firearms to church
officials.
The Ellisons' lawsuit was filed in St. Croix County Court. Lenz was
assigned the case. The suit requests unspecified damages for loss of
society and companionship, funeral costs and medical expenses.
"We are obviously disappointed," said attorney Richard Jasperson of St.
Paul, who represented the Ellisons in the lawsuit, adding it was
premature to discuss appealing the case. "We will do whatever is in the
best interest of the Ellisons."
Attorney Kyle Torvinen of Superior, who represented the diocese, said
Tuesday that Lenz's decision was appropriate and "justice was done, and
we're glad of that. It has been a long road."
The Ellisons did not participate in a lawsuit filed by O'Connell's
relatives against all 194 U.S. Catholic bishops. That suit demanded
names of predatory priests be made public.
Washburn County Judge Eugene Harrington threw that case out earlier this
year, saying the Superior diocese can't be forced to release information
about how the church deals with sex abuse by its priests.
Harrington called the O'Connells' lawsuit an "ambitious request" and
dismissed the case.
The injunction the family sought "has no foundation under Wisconsin
law," Harrington wrote, and to force the church to change its policies
"infringes upon the First Amendment."
Rupnow can be reached at 830-5831, 800-236-7077 or chuck. rupnow@ecpc.com.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Clergy sex abuse victims to leaflet Harlem church
Clergy sex abuse victims to leaflet Harlem church
Pastor was recently ousted for molesting children
Group reaches out to "others suffering in silence and shame"
SNAP blasts archdiocese for "moving slowly & secretly" in the case
In last 5 years, at least two pedophile priests worked at prominent
Catholic parish
What:
As parishioners leave & enter mass, clergy sex abuse victims will hand
out fliers about their recently suspended pastor who was accused of
molesting boys. The leaflets urge Catholics to
– ask everyone they know if they were molested by two pedophile priests
who worked here,
– urge victims and witnesses to call police and get independent help, and
– defend their accused pastor privately, so other victims aren't
intimidated from speaking up
The fliers will also be highly critical of New York church officials
who, the group feels, mishandled the case, moved too slowly, and should
be doing aggressive outreach to others who've been hurt.
When:
Sunday, Sept.14, 11:00 a.m. & again at 12:30 p.m.
Where:
In Harlem, outside Church of St. Charles Borromeo, 211 W. 141st St. ( W
114st St. & 7th Ave. )
i
Who:
Three men who were molested by priests and are leaders of a support
group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
(SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who is the organization's
long time national director. (His brother is a predator priest.)
Details:
Last month, the New York archdiocese suspended a high-profile,
politically-connected priest, Msgr. Wallace A. Harris, from his post in
the wake of allegations that he molested at least two boys. Harris, a
popular and veteran pastor, has allegedly denied the charges but won't
speak publicly. He helped organize the Pope's spring visit to New York,
chairs the archdiocesan priests' council, gave the invocation at Gov.
Paterson's inauguration, and has been called 'a rising star' within the
church.
SNAP feels the archdiocese moved too slowly and 'severely mishandled'
the case.
Another priest assigned to the parish was convicted of molesting a
12-year-old girl in 2003, and sentenced to a prison term of four months,
according to the NY Times.
At least one Harris victim has contacted the Manhattan district attorney
office. Another is a former cop, Eric Crumbley, who now pastors the
Harlem Faith Center in NY (646-552-7660).
Harris was ordained in 1972 and Crumbley's allegations stem from that
time period when Harris worked at the Church of St. Joseph of the Holy
Family on 125th Street. Other accusations involve students at Cathedral
Prep, where Harris taught. The school has since closed.
SNAP is the nation's largest and oldest support group for clergy
molestation victims.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/nyregion/15harris.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Contact:
David Clohessy of St. Louis MO SNAP national director (314) 566-9790,
Bob Hoatson 862 368 2800
Friday, September 12, 2008
Archdiocese disparages family member of victim of abuse
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 12, 2008
Statement by: Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, (314 503 0003)
Disclosing anything about relatives of a 3-year-old victim is, at best,
inappropriate and more accurately, morally wrong. The Archdiocese should
never have made disparaging statements about a family member of a victim
of sexual abuse.
This family has suffered enough. It's wrong and hurtful in any way try
to deflect blame from the pedophile priest on to any of them.
We believe this is a deliberate effort by the Archdiocese to try and
silence other victims and witnesses. It's wrong and we hope it will
backfire.
We frankly don't believe church officials were powerless to stop this
predator from fleeing the United States. Church official should have
insisted he give them his passport the minute the police were notified.
The Archdiocese leaders also should have notified the public and
parishioners immediately as soon as they knew the police were involved.
They should have begged any other victims and witnesses to come forward.
Instead, the officials of the Archdiocese did what they always do: they
kept everything secret.
We are here to state the obvious. The Archdiocese should take
responsibility for allowing Fr Montero to flee the United States when he
was facing allegations of sexually abusing a 3-year-old child. They
should reach out to others who might have been hurt. And they should
tell parishioners that it is their civic and Christian duty to report
any information or suspicions to police.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the largest
and oldest support group for those abused by clergy. Website:
SNAPnetwork.org.
Contact:
David Clohessy of St Louis, SNAP National Director, 314 566 9790
Bob Schwiderski of Wayzata, SNAP Minnesota Director, 952 471 3422
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
Email: SNAPdorris@gmail.com
Top church officials claim mom had ‘affair’ with pedophile priest; victims slam archdiocese
For immediate release: Friday September 12, 2008
Clergy sex victims slam Catholic archdiocese
Top church officials claim mom had 'affair' with pedophile priest
Group says remarks are "hurtful, deceptive, & intimidating retaliation"
SNAP to archbishop: "Stop blaming innocent victims, start catching fugitive predator"
If Archdiocese 'outs' adult victims, then it should 'out' priests who sexually exploit adults
Self help group advises Catholic parishioners: "See professionals, not priests, for counseling
WHAT: At a news conference, clergy sex victims will harshly criticize top Minnesota Catholic officials for telling reporters that a mom allegedly had 'an affair' with an accused pedophile priest who recently molested a three year old and has since fled the US.
The group wants the local archbishop to
-- apologize for the 'mean-spirited' disclosure,
-- fire the church employee who is responsible,
-- personally visit parishes where the alleged predator worked, and
-- aggressively beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes to contact police immediately.
WHEN: TODAY, Friday, Sept. 12, 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
WHERE and WHAT TIME
10:00 a.m. in Eagan, outside St. John Neuman church where predator worked (will hand out fliers door to door in neighborhood) 4030 Pilot Knob
11:30 a.m. in St. Paul, Outside the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Catholic headquarters, 226 Summit Ave.
WHO: Two-three clergy sex abuse victims, including a Missouri woman who is the National Outreach Director of a support group for those abused by clergy (SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY: On Wednesday, archdiocese staffers told reporters that a Twin Cities mom had had 'an affair' with, Fr. Francisco Montero (a/k/a Fr. "Freddy"). The remarks were printed in the Pioneer Press yesterday.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_10429516?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
Catholic employees made the disclosure on the day a lawsuit was filed against Montero and the archdiocese. It accuses the priest of molesting the mom's three year old daughter and church officials of failing to prevent the crimes. SNAP believes the comments are retaliatory, and intended to 'scare other victims of this predator into keeping silent.' They also believe it's inherently impossible for Catholics to consent to sex with priests because of priests' tremendous power. (Minnesota law makes it illegal for any counselor to have any sex with any patient.)
From 2006 to 2007, Montero, a native of Ecuador, repeatedly molested the girl. He was assigned to live with Fr. Kevin McDonough, the #2 archdiocesan leader.
Montero came to Minneapolis in 2001and worked at Incarnation parish (where the family attended). He gave the mom 'counseling' while abusing her daughter. When Montero was arrested for the abuse, McDonough retrieved some of the priest's clothes and personal items from the mom's apartment and helped Montero leave the US, the lawsuit says. Montero is believed to be working in a parish in Ecuador now.
While in Minnesota, Montero, now 31, also said masses at St. John Newman in Eagan, MN and started a newspaper and radio show, both in Spanish.
The suit, filed Wednesday in Ramsey County, also names the Guaranda Diocese in Ecuador. St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) represents the girl.
CONTACT:
Barbara Dorris of St Louis, SNAP Outreach Director, 314 503 0003
Bob Schwiderski of Wayzata, SNAP Minnesota Director 952 471 3422
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
Clergy sex victims slam Catholic archdiocese
Top church officials claim mom had 'affair' with pedophile priest
Group says remarks are "hurtful, deceptive, & intimidating retaliation"
SNAP to archbishop: "Stop blaming innocent victims, start catching fugitive predator"
If Archdiocese 'outs' adult victims, then it should 'out' priests who sexually exploit adults
Self help group advises Catholic parishioners: "See professionals, not priests, for counseling
WHAT: At a news conference, clergy sex victims will harshly criticize top Minnesota Catholic officials for telling reporters that a mom allegedly had 'an affair' with an accused pedophile priest who recently molested a three year old and has since fled the US.
The group wants the local archbishop to
-- apologize for the 'mean-spirited' disclosure,
-- fire the church employee who is responsible,
-- personally visit parishes where the alleged predator worked, and
-- aggressively beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes to contact police immediately.
WHEN: TODAY, Friday, Sept. 12, 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
WHERE and WHAT TIME
10:00 a.m. in Eagan, outside St. John Neuman church where predator worked (will hand out fliers door to door in neighborhood) 4030 Pilot Knob
11:30 a.m. in St. Paul, Outside the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Catholic headquarters, 226 Summit Ave.
WHO: Two-three clergy sex abuse victims, including a Missouri woman who is the National Outreach Director of a support group for those abused by clergy (SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY: On Wednesday, archdiocese staffers told reporters that a Twin Cities mom had had 'an affair' with, Fr. Francisco Montero (a/k/a Fr. "Freddy"). The remarks were printed in the Pioneer Press yesterday.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_10429516?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com&IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
Catholic employees made the disclosure on the day a lawsuit was filed against Montero and the archdiocese. It accuses the priest of molesting the mom's three year old daughter and church officials of failing to prevent the crimes. SNAP believes the comments are retaliatory, and intended to 'scare other victims of this predator into keeping silent.' They also believe it's inherently impossible for Catholics to consent to sex with priests because of priests' tremendous power. (Minnesota law makes it illegal for any counselor to have any sex with any patient.)
From 2006 to 2007, Montero, a native of Ecuador, repeatedly molested the girl. He was assigned to live with Fr. Kevin McDonough, the #2 archdiocesan leader.
Montero came to Minneapolis in 2001and worked at Incarnation parish (where the family attended). He gave the mom 'counseling' while abusing her daughter. When Montero was arrested for the abuse, McDonough retrieved some of the priest's clothes and personal items from the mom's apartment and helped Montero leave the US, the lawsuit says. Montero is believed to be working in a parish in Ecuador now.
While in Minnesota, Montero, now 31, also said masses at St. John Newman in Eagan, MN and started a newspaper and radio show, both in Spanish.
The suit, filed Wednesday in Ramsey County, also names the Guaranda Diocese in Ecuador. St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) represents the girl.
CONTACT:
Barbara Dorris of St Louis, SNAP Outreach Director, 314 503 0003
Bob Schwiderski of Wayzata, SNAP Minnesota Director 952 471 3422
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Clergy sex abuse victims question ‘suspended’ priest
For immediate release: Thursday, September 11, 2008
Clergy sex abuse victims question 'suspended' priest
New internal church document warns bishops about him
But public & parishioners should also be alerted, group says
Newark's archbishop is accused of breaking pledge to be open on sex cases
SNAP also want archdiocese to post names, photos & addresses of predators
Self help group releases list of a dozen pedophile priests who've recently re-offended
WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will publicly urge Newark's high profile and controversial Catholic archbishop to
-- disclose why a new, internal church document warns US bishops about a suspended Newark priest, &
-- also warn parishioners about the priest, and
-- post the names, photos and addresses of admitted, proven and credibly accused pedophile priests on his website.
This is crucial, victims feel, because some of the nation's thousands of suspended but largely unsupervised pedophile priests are starting to break laws in other ways.(They'll release a fact sheet detailing this trend.)
WHEN
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2:15 p.m.
Where
Outside the Newark archdiocese headquarters ('chancery'), 171 Clifton Ave., in downtown Newark, NJ
WHO
Two clergy sex abuse victims including a Missouri man who is the long time national director of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
A Catholic church 'insider' and employee recently has provided SNAP with a brief, confidential notice sent by the national church headquarters to all American bishops. It warns about a Newark priest, Fr. Daniel Medina, who has been suspended since 2002 and has been instructed to no longer present himself as a priest in public. In church circles, this language is used to describe alleged or confirmed pedophile priests.
There apparently is no criminal or civil legal action against Medina. But New Jersey citizens and Catholics, SNAP feels, deserve to know why he's been suspended, what his status is, and his current whereabouts.
SNAP also wants Archbishop Myers to post on his archdiocesan website the names and photos of all proven, admitted and credibly accused predator priests, like the Philadelphia archdiocese does. Myers should go a step further, SNAP says, and also list the pedophiles' addresses.
While hundreds of the roughly 5,000 US pedophile priests have died or are locked up, most now quietly live unsupervised, on their own, in neighborhoods unaware of their crimes.
Bishops often recruit, educate, ordain, hire, supervise, transfer, shield, and defend predator priests. So when they're suspended, SNAP feels church officials have a moral and civic duty to centrally house and oversee them in remote, secure, widely publicized and professionally-run centers so that the predators get treatment and kids are protected.
SNAP's fact sheet describes re-offending priests from Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Delaware, Iowa, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Missouri.
From 1999-2000, Medina worked at Blessed Sacrament Church in Elizabeth.(under a sexually abusive pastor, Msgr. Peter Cheplic, who faces at least three accusers) and in 2002 at St. Aloysius in Jersey City. In 2001, his name disappeared from the Official Catholic Directory and from 2004, 2005 and 2005, he's listed in that book as being at the chancery office in Newark.
CONTACT
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566 9790 cell
Mark Crawford of Woodbridge Township, NJ SNAP Director (732) 632 7687 cell
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Coordinator (314) 862 7688 home
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder and President (312) 399 4747 cell
Clergy sex abuse victims question 'suspended' priest
New internal church document warns bishops about him
But public & parishioners should also be alerted, group says
Newark's archbishop is accused of breaking pledge to be open on sex cases
SNAP also want archdiocese to post names, photos & addresses of predators
Self help group releases list of a dozen pedophile priests who've recently re-offended
WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will publicly urge Newark's high profile and controversial Catholic archbishop to
-- disclose why a new, internal church document warns US bishops about a suspended Newark priest, &
-- also warn parishioners about the priest, and
-- post the names, photos and addresses of admitted, proven and credibly accused pedophile priests on his website.
This is crucial, victims feel, because some of the nation's thousands of suspended but largely unsupervised pedophile priests are starting to break laws in other ways.(They'll release a fact sheet detailing this trend.)
WHEN
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2:15 p.m.
Where
Outside the Newark archdiocese headquarters ('chancery'), 171 Clifton Ave., in downtown Newark, NJ
WHO
Two clergy sex abuse victims including a Missouri man who is the long time national director of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
A Catholic church 'insider' and employee recently has provided SNAP with a brief, confidential notice sent by the national church headquarters to all American bishops. It warns about a Newark priest, Fr. Daniel Medina, who has been suspended since 2002 and has been instructed to no longer present himself as a priest in public. In church circles, this language is used to describe alleged or confirmed pedophile priests.
There apparently is no criminal or civil legal action against Medina. But New Jersey citizens and Catholics, SNAP feels, deserve to know why he's been suspended, what his status is, and his current whereabouts.
SNAP also wants Archbishop Myers to post on his archdiocesan website the names and photos of all proven, admitted and credibly accused predator priests, like the Philadelphia archdiocese does. Myers should go a step further, SNAP says, and also list the pedophiles' addresses.
While hundreds of the roughly 5,000 US pedophile priests have died or are locked up, most now quietly live unsupervised, on their own, in neighborhoods unaware of their crimes.
Bishops often recruit, educate, ordain, hire, supervise, transfer, shield, and defend predator priests. So when they're suspended, SNAP feels church officials have a moral and civic duty to centrally house and oversee them in remote, secure, widely publicized and professionally-run centers so that the predators get treatment and kids are protected.
SNAP's fact sheet describes re-offending priests from Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Delaware, Iowa, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Missouri.
From 1999-2000, Medina worked at Blessed Sacrament Church in Elizabeth.(under a sexually abusive pastor, Msgr. Peter Cheplic, who faces at least three accusers) and in 2002 at St. Aloysius in Jersey City. In 2001, his name disappeared from the Official Catholic Directory and from 2004, 2005 and 2005, he's listed in that book as being at the chancery office in Newark.
CONTACT
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566 9790 cell
Mark Crawford of Woodbridge Township, NJ SNAP Director (732) 632 7687 cell
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Coordinator (314) 862 7688 home
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder and President (312) 399 4747 cell
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
While supposedly living with top church official, priest molests 3 year old
For immediate release: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
While supposedly living with top church official, priest molests 3 year old
After he’s arrested, archdiocese helps him flee to his native South America
Prosecutors then declined to pursue recent child sex crimes against young girl
New civil child molestation and cover up case against Catholic hierarchy is filed
Predator gave ‘marriage counseling’ to mother while sexually exploiting daughter
WHAT
At a news conference, victims’ attorneys will announce and briefly discuss a new child molestation and cover up lawsuit involving recent child sex crimes. It’s against two dioceses (one here, one in South America) and a priest who
-- lived with a high ranking archdiocesan official and
-- has left the country and is now believed to be living in Ecuador.
WHEN
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE
At the law offices of Jeff Anderson, 336 Jackson (corner of Fifth) in downtown St. Paul MN
WHO
Two attorneys (and a Spanish-speaking legal assistant) who represent the young victim and also represent hundreds of other men and women who were abused as kids by teachers, coaches, ministers, and other authority figures
WHY
In 2001, Fr. Francisco Montero a/k/a Fr. Francisco “Fredy” Montero was assigned to live with Fr. Kevin McDonough, vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. From 2006 to 2007, Montero, a native of Ecuador, repeatedly molested a three and four year old girl.
He arrived in Minnesota in February or March of 2001and was assigned to Incarnation parish in Minneapolis’ __ neighborhood, where the girl’s family belonged. (It’s also called Comunidad Sagrado Corazon de Jesus). Montero provided the mom ‘counseling’ while abusing her young daughter. After Montero was arrested for the abuse in 200_, McDonough retrieved some of the priest’s clothes and personal items from the mom’s apartment and helped Montero leave the US, the lawsuit says.
A Spanish speaking Twin Cities legal assistant recently called Montero in Ecuador. He admitted he’s now working in a Catholic parish there.
While in Minnesota, Montero, now 31, also said masses at St. John Newman in Eagan, MN and started a newspaper and radio show, both in Spanish.
The suit, filed late yesterday in Ramsey County and served on the archdiocese, seeks unspecified damages. Defendants include the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Guaranda Diocese in Ecuador.
CONTACT
St. Paul attorneys Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) and Mike Finnegan (651 227 9990, 612 205 5531 cell), and legal assistant Ivonne Manay (Spanish-speaking, 651 227 9990)
While supposedly living with top church official, priest molests 3 year old
After he’s arrested, archdiocese helps him flee to his native South America
Prosecutors then declined to pursue recent child sex crimes against young girl
New civil child molestation and cover up case against Catholic hierarchy is filed
Predator gave ‘marriage counseling’ to mother while sexually exploiting daughter
WHAT
At a news conference, victims’ attorneys will announce and briefly discuss a new child molestation and cover up lawsuit involving recent child sex crimes. It’s against two dioceses (one here, one in South America) and a priest who
-- lived with a high ranking archdiocesan official and
-- has left the country and is now believed to be living in Ecuador.
WHEN
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1:00 p.m.
WHERE
At the law offices of Jeff Anderson, 336 Jackson (corner of Fifth) in downtown St. Paul MN
WHO
Two attorneys (and a Spanish-speaking legal assistant) who represent the young victim and also represent hundreds of other men and women who were abused as kids by teachers, coaches, ministers, and other authority figures
WHY
In 2001, Fr. Francisco Montero a/k/a Fr. Francisco “Fredy” Montero was assigned to live with Fr. Kevin McDonough, vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. From 2006 to 2007, Montero, a native of Ecuador, repeatedly molested a three and four year old girl.
He arrived in Minnesota in February or March of 2001and was assigned to Incarnation parish in Minneapolis’ __ neighborhood, where the girl’s family belonged. (It’s also called Comunidad Sagrado Corazon de Jesus). Montero provided the mom ‘counseling’ while abusing her young daughter. After Montero was arrested for the abuse in 200_, McDonough retrieved some of the priest’s clothes and personal items from the mom’s apartment and helped Montero leave the US, the lawsuit says.
A Spanish speaking Twin Cities legal assistant recently called Montero in Ecuador. He admitted he’s now working in a Catholic parish there.
While in Minnesota, Montero, now 31, also said masses at St. John Newman in Eagan, MN and started a newspaper and radio show, both in Spanish.
The suit, filed late yesterday in Ramsey County and served on the archdiocese, seeks unspecified damages. Defendants include the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Guaranda Diocese in Ecuador.
CONTACT
St. Paul attorneys Jeff Anderson (651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) and Mike Finnegan (651 227 9990, 612 205 5531 cell), and legal assistant Ivonne Manay (Spanish-speaking, 651 227 9990)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sex abuse victims respond to new allegation vs. priest
For immediate release: September 8, 2008
Sex abuse victims respond to new allegation vs. priest
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503
0003 cell)
We are grateful this brave victim's family has reported this predator.
We hope that others who saw, suspected or suffered sex crimes or
misconduct by Fr. Zimmerer will come forward and get help from
independent sources.
Even when the perpetrator is dead, it can be very healing when a victim
unburdens himself or herself of these horrible secrets. Such disclosures
can be an important step forward toward recovering from this devastating
childhood trauma.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's
oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been
around for 17 years and have more than 8,000 members across the country.
Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were
molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns,
rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter
Isely (414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris
(314-862-7688), Mary Grant (626-419-2930), Mark Serrano (703-727-4940)
http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/892964.html
Posted on Mon, Sep. 08, 2008 Sexual misconduct charge made against late
Decatur priest
BY DARREN BARBEE - dbarbee@star-telegram.com
A deceased Decatur priest has been accused of sexual misconduct with a
boy three decades ago, Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese officials said
Monday.
The diocese was notified about the allegations against the priest, the
Rev. Francis A. Zimmerer, on Aug. 25, by the man's spouse, diocese
officials said.
"We've received a credible allegation," said the Rev. James Hart,
chancellor of the diocese. "This would have happened when he was 11
years of age, which would be 1978."
Zimmerer, a Benedictine order priest, died in 1983 at age 74. The
alleged victim, who is now 42, lives out of state but was a member of
the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church as a boy. He
was allegedly abused in the priest's rectory.
After being notified of the allegation, Hart contacted the diocese
conduct review board and then Decatur police. The diocese has offered
the man counseling.
Hart contacted the Star-Telegram about the allegation, continuing the
diocese's policy of openly airing allegations of sexual abuse. Hart said
the diocese has received no other allegations against Zimmerer.
Darren Barbee, 817-390-7126
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