Jiang Arrested for Second Time

SNAP
April 18, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_fr_jiang_arrested_for_second_time

Fr. Joseph Jiang has been arrested for a second time on child sex charges against a second victim. Our hearts ache for this family and for every family that has been hurt by this cunning predator and by his Catholic supervisors – especially Archbishop Robert Carlson – who repeatedly refuse to take simple steps to protect innocent children from child molesting clerics.

[kmov.com]



We say it often and we'll say it again: Now is not the time for complacency. Anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes or misdeeds by Fr. Jiang must call the police. Jiang escaped prosecution last time because his lawyer shrewdly exploited a legal technicality. If could happen again. But if most people who share their knowledge of and suspicions about Fr. Jiang find the courage to speak up, the chances that he'll be convicted and kept away from kids will increase dramatically.

We desperately hope that the child in this case hasn't been sexually assaulted by Fr. Jiang during the past two years since the first accusation against him surfaced. Time and time again, we begged Carlson to put Jiang in a remote, secure, independently run treatment center so that kids would be safe. Carlson ignored our plea. So if this victim was hurt during that period, the blame lies squarely with Carlson.

We hope this case will serve to remind Catholics that the overwhelming majority of child sex abuse reports against priests, nuns, bishops, and seminarians turn out to be true. We hope that in the future, parishioners will be more reluctant to immediately and hurtfully express public support for an accused predator priest. We hope they will avoid rushing to judgment and show their concern for alleged child molesters privately, not publicly.