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	Suicide Raises Questions of Sexual Abuse in Owensboro Catholic Church By Zakk Gammon WBKO February 8, 2011 http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/Suicide_Raises_Questions_of_Sexual_Abuse_in_Owensboro_Catholic_Church_115605429.html?ref=429 [with video] There's a somber feeling outside the Blessed Mother Catholic Church, as the Owensboro community mourns over the loss of one of their own. "I think it's terrible," said Mary Aull, who has lived across the street from the church for the last six years. As a member of the Catholic faith herself, she can't believe David Jarboe, Jr. would take his own life because of his faith. "We have so many priests who are doing these sort of things," she said. A letter was posted on Jarboe's Facebook page, alleging he was sexually abused by at least one priest. He went as far as calling one of the priests a "demon". So, according to the letter, Jarboe killed himself as a way to "find peace" and let others know what's happening. "If this exists, does God not exist? Does God not love me anymore?" Jeff Koenig is a member of the Louisville Chapter of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. As someone who was also sexually abused by a member of the clergy, he says he completely understands what Jarboe went through. "I attempted suicide with pills when I was about this young man's age," he said. "I completely remember the feeling of isolation, desperation and no escape." Koenig says he just wishes someone would have found David before it was too late. As for Aull, she says she feels terrible for David's family and she hopes they choose to get justice. "I think I would have already taken it out on the priest. I know that's a terrible thing to say, but that's your child," she said. Below is a copy of the statement released by the Owensboro Diocese regarding the investigation: On Thursday, February 3, 2011 a young man of our Catholic community, David Jarboe, Jr., took his life on the property of Blessed Mother Church in Owensboro. David's parents, sisters and extended family are visibly part of the vital fabric of the Catholic Church of this community. The prayers and comfort of all of us in the church are extended to them in this moment of tragic loss. David's funeral Mass was held today at Blessed Mother Church. In the hours following Thursday's tragedy, it came to light that David had left a lengthy Facebook posting that was distributed to perhaps hundreds of his family and friends. Within this posting David spoke of pain he had endured as a consequence of sexual abuse within the Church, perhaps at the hands of a Catholic priest. In light of this information, the Most Reverend William F. Medley, the Bishop of Owensboro, convened the Diocesan Review Board on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Bishop Medley and the Diocesan Review Board examined the information in David's Facebook posting. Chaired by Ms. Teresa Henry, the Diocesan Review Board is a 13 member group formed in 2002 as mandated by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Members of the Review Board include lay psychologists, educators, law enforcement personnel, social workers, a practicing attorney, an Episcopalian priest, a woman religious and a Canon Lawyer priest. Ms. Henry works with juveniles, has a Master's Degree in counseling and is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor. The Diocesan Review Board recommended to Bishop Medley that the Diocese of Owensboro engage an independent investigator to seek more information. While David's posting included names of priests, it did not directly identify any priest or any other person as an abuser. Bishop Medley will act upon this recommendation today to initiate this further investigation. In accordance with diocesan policy, Ms. Henry, as Chair of the Diocesan Review Board, made a report to Bruce Kuegel, Daviess County Commonwealth Attorney, and also assured him of the cooperation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro. Contact: zakk.gammon@wbko.com
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