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	Activist Group Calls on Victims to Speak out By Stephanie Goetz WDAY May 7, 2009 http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/20585/group/home/ Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - A national activist group is calling on local victims sexually abused by priests to be silent no more. It's also calling on the Catholic Church to track down those victims and offer those help. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is bringing to light an alleged sexual abuse case in the 1970's that was never brought to court, hoping it will get others to come out of silence. Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - A national activist group is calling on local victims sexually abused by priests to be silent no more. It's also calling on the Catholic Church to track down those victims and offer those help. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is bringing to light an alleged sexual abuse case in the 1970's that was never brought to court, hoping it will get others to come out of silence. It's a problem activists with the group "Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests" say needs to be recognized. Young boys and girls sexually abused by clergy in the catholic faith, some decades ago, needing help. Bob Schwiderski/Minnesota SNAP organization: "These victims are still standing and bleeding." The national group came to Fargo today highlighting an alleged abuse case in Zeeland, North Dakota in 1972. The alleged abuser, father Gregory Patejko, has died since then. In that case, according to this agreement, the Fargo diocese settled out of court with alleged victim Richard Jangula in a "general release" agreement. In it, Jangula received an undisclosed amount of money and agreed not sue the diocese in the future. Also in the agreement the diocese of Fargo denies and legal responsibility for any sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Jangula, who wanted to be identified to bring awareness to this issue would not talk on camera, but says he felt he had no other options and signed the agreement. SNAP volunteer Bob Schwiderski says there are others like Jangula who needs help and that's why they are here. "If they don't want to be the Good Samaritan, then those of us that have been harmed, we will walk down that road and reach out to those who are bleeding." Schwiderski alleges the Fargo Diocese and others around the nation have done little to reach out to abuse victims, and do not acknowledge that sexual abuse by catholic priests happens. Officials with the Fargo Diocese say they did get in touch with the Jangula in 1994, 20 years after the alleged incident. "Have in fact assisted him in a variety of ways, we regret that he remains unsatisfied with out efforts." "You don't put some arbitrary stop on here: 'you should be healed by now.'" Schwiderski says the diocese needs to be more proactive. "Go to their parishes, to the baptized Catholics in this diocese and reach out." Fargo diocese officials say they are committed to protecting children and make sure the diocese is a safe environment for everyone. Fargo's Bishop was not available for comment. Jangula says when members of the Fargo Diocese came to him, they said they "did" acknowledge the abuse happened, and they were sorry.”
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