BishopAccountability.org
	Group Applauds Priest's Firing Canton Rep October 10, 2011 http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x1827971899/Group-applauds-priests-firing An international group that advocates for the criminal prosecution of clergy accused of sexual impropriety is applauding the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown’s decision to suspend John Warner, but still encourages people to contact police. Warner, a former priest at Sts. Philip & James Catholic Church in Canal Fulton, recently was removed from the clergy by Bishop George V. Murry after allegations surfaced that Warner engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor at a parish in Youngstown in the 1980s. Warner has denied the charge, but a diocesan review board concluded that the accusation was credible. Judy Jones, Midwest Associate director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, urges victims to contact law enforcement authorities in addition to church officials. “Church officials cannot always be trusted to have victims and our children’s best interest at heart,” she said in a statement. “We applaud this brave victim for speaking up and taking action to expose the truth and possibly protecting other children. “Hopefully, others who may have knowledge or been harmed by Father John Warner will have the courage to come forward and report it to police, not church officials. “Those who have been harmed by this priest or any clergy, teacher, or employee in the Youngstown Diocese should keep in mind that silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.” The diocese introduced its Child Protection Policy in 1994. It was most recently updated in 2008.
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