Victim Advocacy Group Claims Diocese Took No Action

The Wkbn
January 22, 2013

http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Victim-Advocacy-Group-Claims-Diocese-Took-No/KmSyDwi6N0WdCG-fFIwliQ.cspx


[with video]

Leaders with a group advocating for victims of alleged abuse by clergy said they're frustrated over what they claim is a lack of action to investigate local cases.

Judy Jones, a representative of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, was in town Tuesday, claiming reports of abuse against a number of former Warren JFK High School students has in turn prompted others to come forward and make their own claims against employees of the Diocese of Youngstown.

Jones claims there are two other, unrelated abuse allegations against Diocese employees. She wouldn't be any more specific, other than to say the alleged incidents happened years ago.

She also said neither of the alleged victims has told anyone in law enforcement.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains said there's only so much authorities can do.

"These individuals, for us to take any action, to even make a determination if the statute of limitations has run or not, they have got to report it to the appropriate police agency," Gains said.

He said there are no current abuse investigations under way. And although Jones went to Gains asking why a grand jury investigation can't be started, the prosecutor said without complaining victims, authorities have no case.

"She knows only what the victims have told her, OK? We need somebody with personal knowledge to come forward," Gains said. "We need an investigation and we need the victims to come forward and report their allegations and whatever evidence they may have."

Jones also said Youngstown Bishop George Murry is aware of the allegations that have been made and claims the Diocese hasn't taken any action.

"Once they get a report, it's their duty and their morality to report it to the police and get this guy. Once they know somebody has come forward and claimed that they have been sexually abused, they need to do something right away," Jones said.

A spokesperson for the Diocese said Tuesday afternoon there are no current allegations against anyone in the local ministry, and when claims are determined to be credible, they are turned over to the Children's Services Agency in the county where the case originated. That is what the Diocese said happened when it was made aware of the allegations at Warren JFK several years ago.

The spokesperson said if needed, the Diocese also hires a private investigator to conduct a separate review. Bishop Murry will discuss the JFK case for the first time publicly Thursday when he meets with reporters.