BishopAccountability.org
	Diocese of Orlando: St. James Cathedral Music Director Loses Job after Sex Abuse Alleged By Jeff Weiner Orlando Sentinel March 17, 2011 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-03-17/news/os-st-james-music-director-schaefer-o20110317_1_survivors-network-diocese-officials-accusations-of-sexual-abuse Robert Schaefer, longtime music director of St. James Catholic Cathedral in Orlando, lost his job Thursday after accusations of sexual abuse surfaced from his past. His dismissal or resignation — the Catholic Diocese of Orlando was not clear — came after members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a support group for victims of clergy, delivered a letter to St. James Cathedral, asking for Schaefer's removal. With them was William Kirchen, 44, who said he was abused by Schaefer beginning in the late 1970s, when he was 11 years old. Schaefer was then a choir director at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wis., SNAP said. Schaefer did not return a call to his home Thursday evening. He has not been charged criminally, although Kirchen said he reported the abuse to authorities decades ago. In a statement, Diocese of Orlando spokeswoman Carol Brinati said the music director admitted to the abuse when confronted by diocese officials. "Mr. Schaefer expressed compassion for the victim and had previously apologized to him," Brinati said. She said that Schaefer, who had been with the diocese since 1985, cleared FDLE and FBI background checks when he was hired. "Based upon the information provided, Mr. Schaefer is no longer an employee of the Diocese of Orlando," Brinati said. Reached after the diocese's announcement, Kirchen expressed relief. "I'm just so very satisfied that this is done, and he's been removed from his position," Kirchen said. Kirchen said his motivation to come forward was to provide an example for any other possible victims who may be suffering in silence. "There's so many emotions that you go through once this happens to you," he said. At St. James on Thursday, SNAP members distributed copies of an apology letter Kirchen said Schaefer wrote to him about a year ago. "I never intended to hurt you," the letter reads. "At the time and being much younger I had no idea what impact my actions could cause." Kirchen said he had recently asked authorities in Milwaukee to reopen the investigation into his abuse when he received the letter. He questioned the timing and motive of the author but said he's been able to accept what happened, and to forgive. Joe McMorrow, head of Orlando's SNAP chapter, praised Kirchen's bravery for speaking out, adding that many victims of abuse don't ever see their abuser exposed. jeweiner@tribune.com or 407-420-5171.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.