Oh - Victims Believe There’s More to the Story of Convicted Priest

By Barbara Dorris
SNAP
October 2, 2012

http://www.snapnetwork.org/oh_victims_believe_there_s_more_to_the_story_of_convicted_priest

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims and supporters deliver a letter to a Columbus prosecutor asking him to take a closer look in light of new revelations - at the case of a recently convicted predator priest. They will also hand out

--a recent communication from a priest/whistleblower who says that high ranking church officials had earlier warnings about the predator, and

-- a list of the priest’s assignments (showing that he normally lives at a Galion monastery, not at a Columbus hotel, as he claimed).

The group will also urge any other victims, witnesses or whistleblowers who know of or suspect crimes and cover ups in any denomination - to contact law enforcement immediately.

WHEN

Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at 11-am

WHERE

Outside the Franklin County prosecutors’ office, 373 South High Street in Columbus

WHO

Two or three clergy sex abuse victims and supporters who belong to a nationwide a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

[link]

WHY

Last week, Fr. Nicholas Hughes (Patrick N. Hughes) pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and was sentenced to six years in prison. While the arrest and conviction was accomplished in record time, SNAP is concerned that Hughes deliberately sped up the process to prevent a more complete investigation of his activities. SNAP is asking the Franklin County District Attorney to help us contact the appropriate authorities to reopen or open further investigations in light of this new information.

The group suspects that the Greek Church officials have additional information on Hughes that needs to be made public. Following Hughes’ conviction, SNAP received a communication from a whistleblower. It was a letter from a Greek priest to the Chancellor of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, citing previous reports of inappropriate actions by Hughes. This week, SNAP has also uncovered additional postings on the internet by this priest indicating that there were problems with Hughes years earlier.

Also, SNAP is troubled by media reports that Hughes listed a temporary address at a Columbus hotel as his residence, and did not mention the monastery in Galion, which he founded and where he was the superior until September 21st. His assignment as the dean of Annunciation was a temporary assignment. We are afraid that further evidence of criminal activity may have been missed because this permanent address was overlooked.

Finally, SNAP is urging anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Hughes’ crimes or misdeeds to step forward, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect others and start healing.