Admitted Predator Priest Still Lives in a Rectory, SNAP Responds

SNAP
June 25, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/admitted_predator_priest_still_lives_in_a_rectory_snap_responds

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com)

Even now, an admitted and convicted Newark predator priest is living in an undisclosed rectory, Archbishop John Myers admitted in a newly published interview.

That’s outrageously reckless. Myers should immediately move Fr. Michael Fugee to a remote, secure, independently-run treatment center, far away from those he has hurt.

Fr. Fugee has admitted – and been found guilty – of hurting a Catholic child. Myers is in charge of protecting Catholic children. So why is Myers letting Fr. Fugee live near Catholic children in a Catholic building in a Catholic parish?

And for the sake of public safety, Myers should disclose where he’s been letting Fr. Fugee live for the past few weeks.

In the same interview, Myers remains unrepentant, claiming it was “appropriate” for him to put Fr. Fugee back in ministry after a jury had found him guilty of abuse.

According to The Record, “Myers said his review board led a ‘professional’ inquiry, looking into the allegations ‘as if they were cops.’” That’s ludicrous. A small, secretive hand-picked Catholic panel cannot act “as if they were cops” any more than they can act as if they were doctors or lawyers or therapists.

Myers refuses to even disclose who is on this panel. By definition, they are anything but independent.

We wonder if Myers makes his personal financial decisions, or archdiocesan financial decisions, by consulting a small, secretive hand-picked panel which may or may not have any relevant financial expertise.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact - David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com Barbara Dorris 314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com