BishopAccountability.org
	Sex Abuse Victims Challenge Archbishop SNAP February 25, 2009 http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2009_press_releases/022509_sex_abuse_victims_challenge_archbishop.htm WHAT After a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will try to hand deliver a letter to San Antonio's Catholic archbishop urging him to - oust a credibly accused predator who's now at a local parish, - reach out to anyone who was hurt by him or by another recently 'outed' pedophile priest, - apologize and explain why he's keeping secret about the 2 accused sex offenders in his archdiocese, and - disclose the names & whereabouts of any other child-molesting clergymen who are or were here (whether diocesan or religious order priests). WHEN Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. WHERE 2718 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio WHO Two-three men and women who were molested by clergy and belong to a nationwide support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) VISUALS The group will hold signs, photos of the predators, and copies of a two church documents admitting that the allegations against both clerics are 'credible.' WHY In the last two weeks, SNAP has publicly disclosed at news conferences that credible child sex abuse allegations have been made against two clerics. Both men were quietly suspended in the last year but no warning was given to San Antonio citizens or Catholics. Despite the accusations and his suspension, one cleric was allowed to move to a San Antonio parish where he lives even now. First, SNAP leafleted outside a parish, warning parents that Brother Richard Suttle had been ousted from a Arizona elementary school last year for abuse charges. He now lives at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 617 S. Santa Rosa St., downtown. Then, last week, SNAP disclosed that a long-time St. Mary's University professor, Fr. Charles H. Miller, was suspended last year for molesting a teenaged girl in San Antonio in 1980. He had never been publicly exposed as a molester before. Both are still clerics and still get paychecks. They belong to separate religious orders: Suttle is a Claretian and Miller is a Marianist. SNAP says Archbishop Jose Gomez "splits hairs" and claims he's essentially powerless over the men, even though Catholic canon law, tradition and practice holds that each bishop is responsible for the well-being of every Catholic in his diocese, regardless of who pays them. SNAP is especially critical of Gomez for letting Suttle secretly move here and live at a parish, despite the allegations against him. In neither case, the group argues, did Gomez honor his promises to be 'open and transparent' with clergy sex cases. The Claretians are headquartered in San Gabriel, CA (626-289-2009, 626-716-6143). The Marianists are based in St. Louis, MO (314 533 1207). http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/Accused_of_child_sex_abuser_religious_teacher_moves_to_SA.html SNAP feels that parishioners have a duty to ask their friends, family members and others if they were victimized. Often, men and women who have been sexually assaulted are fearful of disclosing their pain and do so only when approached directly but gently by someone they know and love. CONTACT Barbara Garcia-Boehland of San Antonio, San Antonio SNAP Director (210) 725 8329, David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566 9790 cell, Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Coordinator (314) 862 7688
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