Rockford Priest Arrested

SNAP
May 23, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/il_rockford_priest_arrested

For immediate release Friday, May 23, 2014

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, Founder and President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)

An Illinois priest has been charged with indecent exposure. We are worried that his crimes don’t stop there.

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The cleric, who was assigned in Batavia, was seen exposing himself - allegedly twice - at a local gas station. Fr. Aaron R. Brodeski turned himself in today after victims gave his license plate number to responding officers.

We want Bishop Malloy to help police investigate this crime by immediately visiting every parish where Fr. Brodeski worked and begging anyone who saw, suspected or suffered any crimes to come forward, report to secular authorities and start healing.

He should also post Fr. Brodeski’s name, photo and work history on parish bulletins and websites, with the same plea for victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to call police. There are hundreds of parish bulletins, church websites and pulpits where verbal announcements could and should be made, imploring people with knowledge or suspicions to step forward.

Finally, every single person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes in the Rockford diocese, by this priest or others, should contact law enforcement immediately. That's the best way to protect innocent kids and vulnerable adults.