Abuse Victims Want Counseling Reinbursement, WEEK, January 5, 2009

Abuse Victims Want Counseling Reinbursement

WEEK
January 5, 2009

http://www.week.com/news/local/37113039.html

A spokesman for a group of victims sexually abused by area priests is demanding the Peoria Diocese pay for their counselin

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Jeff Jones says he was abused by a priest as a young boy and now goes to counseling.

Jones say Bishop Daniel Jenky has ordered the Diocese to reimburse him for the expense, but refuses to do so for eight other abuse victims.

Jones says Jenky promised to pay for counseling for victims six years ago.

"If we put it out there, and we put it on TV and in the newspaper, it almost embarrasses him (Jenky) into doing what he said he's going to do. This is the only way to do it. I've done this at least a dozen times on different issues with this guy. If you don't put it out there in the public he'll just renege on it and nothing will ever happen," said Jones.

A written statement from the Diocese say Bishop Jenky remains committed to paying for counseling fees for credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.

In other instances, upon unanimous advice of the lay review commission, the Diocese has found some allegations are utterly unsupported by the facts.