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	Groups Stage Protest against Diocese By Melissa Sanchez Yakima Herald-Republic September 24, 2009 http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/09/24/groups-stage-protest-against-diocese YAKIMA, Wash. -- Four representatives of groups pushing for better oversight of Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse held a protest Thursday in front of the Diocese of Yakima. Organizers said they staged the event because it had been more than a year since Juan Gonzalez, a former diocesan employee, was arrested on Oregon charges of encouraging child sex abuse. The charges were eventually dismissed, and Gonzalez meanwhile alleged that a priest engaged in a sexual relationship with him while he was a young adult living in Tieton. Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, based in Chicago, and Voice of the Faithful, based in Yakima, organized the protest, which was also attended by the Yakima mother of an abuse victim, organizers said. SNAP and VOTF want the diocese to publicly identify the priest named by Gonzalez and conduct an investigation of his background. The diocese has characterized the matter as a confidential relationship between adults. The Rev. Robert Siler, chief of staff for Yakima Bishop Carlos Sevilla, said the priest remains on an extended leave of absence. SNAP and VOTF say they also want the church to establish houses where priests involved in abuse cases could safely live and receive treatment. The demonstration lasted less than an hour. Robert Fontana of VOTF said the group did not present a formal request to diocesan officials, preferring instead to make a public statement. Siler said he was disappointed in the group's lack of communication.
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