Ar - Catholic Teacher Guilty of Hiding Child Sex Crimes; SNAP Responds

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
September 18, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ar_catholic_teacher_guilty_of_hiding_child_sex_crimes_snap_responds

Today, an ex-Catholic school teacher has been found guilty of failing to report suspected child sex crimes. Yesterday, another ex-Catholic school teacher pled guilty to violating her probation by repeatedly contacting the girl she molested.

As a result, kids in both Arkansas (where the crimes happened) and Florida (where the predator has been living) are both safer. And we hope that these actions, especially today’s verdict, will deter future cover ups of child sex crimes.

The enabler, Kathy Griffin, received a year’s probation and $2,500 fine, which we think is a light sentence. The predator, Kelly O’Rourke, is in jail now awaiting sentencing.

Unfortunately, the institutional wrongdoer here – the Little Rock Catholic diocese and Mt. St. Mary’s School – have, for now at least, escaped consequences for their reckless, callous and deceitful behavior in this case. Neither school nor church officials made any real effort to help police and prosecutors pursue these criminals. At best, the diocese and the school did the bare minimum. More accurately, they minimized the crimes by O’Rourke and Griffin and refused to lift a finger to help find more victims, witnesses or whistleblowers that could have been helped or helpful.

We hope others who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by O’Rourke or Griffin – or any other Catholic employee – will come forward, call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids and start healing.

Finally, Arkansas citizens owe a debt of gratitude to the brave family

Contact: SNAPdorris@gmail.com