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  Local Group Says Owensboro Archdiocese Failed Young Man

Fox 41
February 7, 2011

http://www.fox41.com/story/13980321/green-bay-packers-win-super-bowl-xlv

[with video]

A support group for abused children says the Catholic Church failed a young man who shot himself last week.

23 year-old David Jarboe was found dead Thursday on the property of the Blessed Mother Catholic Church in Owensboro.

In a post on his Facebook page, Jarboe claimed he was the victim of abuse.

If that's true, advocates say someone should have reached out to him sooner.

The apparent suicide of David Jarboe has surprised the Owensboro community for several reasons.

Jarboe was a linebacker on the football teams, and editor of the school paper at Owensboro Catholic High School.

He went on to play football for Saint Thomas in Minnesota before transferring to Western Kentucky.

The recent graduate was already working as a financial representative.

But Jarboe wrote on his Facebook page last week about the 'pain and torment' he says he endured.

Police say he later shot himself in front of this Owensboro Church.

"How did the church fail this young man? How are they going to support his family? This is a burden they'll have to live with the rest of their lives," said Cal Pfeiffer, SNAP.

Pfeiffer is a member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by priests.

He says the way Jarboe allegedly chose to end his life is unusual, but his apparent feelings of isolation and helplessness are not uncommon among victims of abuse.

At the very least, he hopes the Archdiocese of Louisville has taken notice what happened in Owensboro.

"What are they going to do here? Thank God it hasn't happen here in Louisville, but it certainly could. What are they doing from a victim-survivor point of view? I don't see much, very little,"said Pfeiffer.

The Diocese of Owensboro says it was saddened by the Jarboe's death, and has launched an investigation into Jarboe's claims of abuse.

Whether or not those claims are true, Pfeiffer says they should prompt the church to re-examine itself.

"Now is the time for the Owensboro Diocese to step up and examine how they failed. How could this have happened down there? They can't change the past, but what are they going to do from this point forward to reach out to victims and survivors," said Pfeiffer.

Pfeiffer says SNAP will discuss Jarboe's death at its monthly meeting next weekend.

He says the group wants to come up with ways to help his family through this trying time.

 
 

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