"Las Vegas Bishop Must Act Now," Victims Group Says

By David Clohessy
SNAP
November 2, 2012

http://www.snapnetwork.org/nv_las_vegas_bishop_must_act_now_victims_group_says

A Las Vegas jury has awarded $500,000 to a man who was sexually abused as a boy by Fr. James Patrick Feeney.

Now that it's been proven that Feeney molested at least one Nevada boy, it's crucial that Las Vegas' Catholic bishop reach out to others he Feeney have hurt. It's irresponsible for the church hierarchy to be passive and silent here. They have ample resources. They should use those resources to find, in Jesus' words, the lost and wounded sheep.

Nevada Catholic officials voluntarily let Feeney work in churches in the state. They are responsible, in part, for the harm he did in Nevada. These church officials have a moral duty to aggressively try to find - and help - anyone else who was assaulted by Feeney. They also have an obligation to prod witnesses and whistelblowers to speak up too, so that police and prosecutors might pursue more criinal charges against Feeney.

This is especially true because Feeney walks free today. Though he's elderly, Feeney's still a threat to kids. He belongs behind bars. Las Vegas' bishop can help get Feeney locked up, but only if the bishop shows courage and compassion and takes action.