By Fred Connors
News-Register
October 15, 2009
http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/529689.html?nav=515
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| Calling for the removal of the Rev. Thomas Gleeson from Wheeling Jesuit University’s board of directors, Steven Spaner and Judy Jones protest Tuesday in front of St. Joseph Cathedral in Wheeling.
Photo by Fred Connors |
WHEELING - Members of a support group for victims of clergy abuse sought to have a Wheeling Jesuit University board member suspended Wednesday.
Judy Jones and Steven Spaner - representing the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests - demonstrated in front of St. Joseph Cathedral to bring attention to a lawsuit filed several years ago against the Rev. Thomas Gleeson.
The suit alleged sexual misconduct between Gleeson and a seminarian at the Jesuit School of Technology in Berkeley, Calif.
SNAP is calling for the suspension of Gleeson from Wheeling Jesuit University's board of directors.
The group also wants an explanation about why he was appointed to the board despite allegations against him, and it is seeking a settlement involving him and an investigation into the original accusation.
"In 2002, the U.S. Catholic church adopted a national clergy sexual misconduct policy," said Jones. "It mandates openness in cases of alleged clergy misdeeds, and it requires that a priest who is credibly accused of sexual abuse be suspended while the case is investigated.
"After that policy was adopted, many bishops re-examined earlier allegations that had once been ignored, dismissed or deemed unsubstantiated. Dozens of Catholic clerics who had been accused but kept in ministry were suspended. That is what we want to see happen here with Gleeson."
Jones presented a statement she said is from the victim of the alleged assault.
"I'm concerned that any priest, like Father Gleeson, who has been credibly accused in the past would continue to wield significant influence in a Catholic institution," the statement notes.
Wheeling Jesuit University Interim President J. Davitt McAteer issued the following statement Tuesday in response to the SNAP demonstration:
"We are aware of an allegation against Father Thomas Gleeson, S.J., who has served on the Wheeling Jesuit Board of Directors and Board of Trustees since 2004. This case was settled nine years ago. We at Wheeling Jesuit University, and I personally, am happy to have Father Gleeson serving as a valuable member of our Board of Trustees and Board of Directors. We have no plans to suspend Father Gleeson nor conduct any investigation."
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