Wed. 3:17pm: Man Accuses Former Teacher of Abuse; Church Refutes Claim

Tribune Chronicle
August 28, 2013

http://tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/592275/Wed--3-17pm--Man-accuses-former-teacher-of-abuse--church-refutes-claim.html?nav=5192

YOUNGSTOWN - A city man who said he was abused close to 30 years ago by a teacher and deacon while he was a student at St. Christine's school joined an advocacy group that confronted Youngstown Diocese officials about the matter on Wednesday.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests announced plans to hand deliver a letter to Bishop George Murry asking him to suspend the deacon, who SNAP claimed is still part of the diocese.

SNAP official Judy Jones said Jerry Arnal was abused by a teacher at Cardinal Mooney repeatedly during the mid-to-late 1970s. According to SNAP, Arnal reported the alleged abuse to Sister Jane Marie Kudlacsz, the Mooney principal, in 1987.

SNAP claims Murry told Arnal in 2011 that he hired a private investigator, who found no evidence of molestation.

In response, the Diocese of Youngstown issued a statement saying that the deacon accused is no longer working in the diocese "in any capacity." Also, the diocese followed its policy and procedures, and reported the allegation to Mahoning County Children's Services, the statement reads.