December 23, 2004

Mothers organize local chapter of anti-abuse network

GREEN BAY (WI)
Press-Gazette

By Jean Peerenboom
jpeerenb@greenbaypressgazette.com

Two mothers whose sons accused Catholic clergy of sex abuse are starting a local chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. On Wednesday, they delivered a letter to Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay asking for his support.

“We want him to put our contact information in The Compass, the diocesan newspaper, and on the diocesan Web site,” said Alice Hodek, who is starting the chapter with Judith Schauer.

At the same time, Hodek said the group is asking the bishop to contact leaders of other local church denominations to do the same.

Tony Kuick, communications director for the diocese, accepted the letter on the bishop’s behalf. “I extended the bishop’s prayers to the Hodek family and said the bishop is willing to meet the Hodeks after the first of the year.”

Hodek’s son, Mark, was a victim of former Norbertine priest James Stein, who was sentenced last week to 10 years’ probation and a year in jail with work-release privileges.

Posted by kshaw at December 23, 2004 08:37 AM