Four Christian Brothers from a Nj/ny Metro Catholic High School to Be Exposed As Abusers of Boys

Voice from the Desert
February 16, 2012

http://reform-network.net/?p=15234

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Four Christian Brothers from a NJ/NY metro Catholic high school to be exposed as abusers of boys

Christian Brothers declare bankruptcy to shield their secrets and cut their losses

Victims of Christian Brothers have a short time to come forward and report their abuse

Changing laws in NY/NJ will help victims and expose child predators

WHAT:

A sidewalk demonstration by victims of childhood sexual abuse with signs and photos which will: REVEAL the names of four religious order abusers who taught at a northern New Jersey high school and other schools in the NY metropolitan area; SHOW how school and religious order officials kept the information secret for years; EXPLAIN how the religious order that owns and runs the school declared bankruptcy to protect itself from embarrassment and abuse trials; SHOW how bills before the NJ/NY legislatures can expose child abusers.

WHERE:

Outside Bergen Catholic High School, 1040 Oradell Avenue, Oradell, NJ

WHEN:

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 10:30 AM

WHO:

At least three victims of child sex abuse, including a Maine man who is a victim of a Bergen Catholic High School Christian Brother. Also attending will be a former Christian Brother who was abused by Christian Brothers and who founded a non-profit charity that assists victims of child abuse, Road to Recovery, Inc.

WHY:

The Congregation of Christian Brothers (the Irish Christian Brothers or ICBs), declared bankruptcy in April, 2011, to avoid embarrassing public trials in dozens of child sexual abuse lawsuits in the Seattle area. They are also facing more than 250 allegations of abuse in Canada.

A judge has set a deadline of August 1, 2012, for victims of Christian Brothers to come forward and report their abuse. Attendees will encourage other victims to come forward and report their abuse.

The Christian Brothers have run schools and child agencies in the NY/NJ metropolitan area since the early 1900s, including Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, NJ since 1955.

Research has uncovered that Bergen Catholic High School had or has a number of abusive Christian Brothers on its staff. Victims will expose the abusers’ names and histories to warn the community and alumni of the danger that existed or exists at the school. Also discussed will be the laws in NJ and NY that have been proposed to give victims of sexual abuse their day in court.

CONTACT:

Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Co-founder and President, Road to Recovery, Inc.; roberthoatson@gmail.com