BishopAccountability.org
	Eight Predators Worked at This Parish: Victims Offer Consolation Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests January 13, 2011 http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/011311_eight_predators_worked_at_this_parish_victims_offer_consolation.htm WHAT Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will criticize a new Chapter 11 plan submitted this week by Delaware's bishop. They will also -- offer sympathy and help to parishioners at a church where eight accused predator priests worked, -- urge church goers there to ask their loved ones if they were hurt by any of the clerics, and if so, urge them to call police, get help, expose wrongdoing and protect kids They will also prod Delaware's bishop to publicly disclose and post on his website the names, whereabouts and work histories of all credibly accused child molesting clerics who have worked in the Wilmington diocese, including those who belong or belonged to religious orders. WHEN TODAY, Thursday, Jan. 13, 10:00 a.m. WHERE Outside the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631s State St. in Dover, DE (302 674 5787) WHO 2-4 members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a California woman who is the organization's western regional director and a Delaware woman who heads the organization's local chapter WHY The publicly accused child molesting clerics who have worked at this parish include: Fr. William E. Irwin, (1966-68), Fr. Richard F. Gardiner, (1968-72), Fr. Carmen D. Vignola (deacon, 1972; 1987-89), Fr. Leonard J. Mackiewicz, (1975-1976), Eugene F. Clarahan, (1978-83), Harry Weaver (1984-185), Kenneth J. Martin (1989-90), and Fr. Paul D. Calamari (1999-00). http://www.bishop-accountability.org/de_wilmington/Parishes_Where_Accused_Wilmington_Priests_Worked.htm SNAP wants current and former Holy Cross parishioners and staff to discuss these alleged predators with their loved ones and specifically ask if any of the priests hurt them. SNAP urges anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups to come forward, get help, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids and start healing. Earlier this week, victims criticized the latest proposal by Bishop Francis Malooly in the diocese's Chapter 11 process. Many victims whose cases are tied up in the diocese's bankruptcy do not trust Malooly to honor his promises. So as a simple, but significant step forward, SNAP is urging Malooly to take a tangible step to warn parents and safeguard kids by disclosing and permanently posting on his diocesan website the names, whereabouts and work histories of all religious order clerics who are proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesters. (Typically, in most Catholic dioceses, one forth to one third of the priests are religious order clerics but bishops claim to have no authority over them.) The group will also release a chart showing that almost 20% of the priests actively working in the diocese were, at one time, accused child molesters. Late last month, SNAP disclosed data showing that 80% of the parishes in Delaware have had accused predator priests working at them. It's the highest documented percentage anywhere in the world, the group says. Sources for the new numbers include the Official Catholic Directory, BishopAccountability.org, the Wilmington diocese website, a list of accused clerics released by Malooly's predecessor and lawsuits filed against priests during a recent, two year civil 'window' which let more victims take legal action (created by the Delaware Victims Act). For a copy of a spread sheet detailing the assignments of the predator priests, contact Terry McKiernan of BishopAccountability.org (508 479 9304, mckiernan1@comcast.net, or Barbara Dorris (314 503 0003). (NOTE: At noon in Wilmington, SNAP will hold another news conference today and release the name of a never-accsed-before Delaware predator priest.) CONTACT: Joelle Casteix 949 322 7434 jcasteix@gmail.com, David Clohessy 314 566 9790 SNAPclohessy@aol.com, Judy Miller 302 234 1519, (home), 302 397 1622 (cell)
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