WV- Boy molested by priest, SNAP responds

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
July 16, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/wv_boy_molested_by_priest_snap_responds

A new court filing yesterday revealed that an admitted predator priest likely molested a West Virginia boy and a support group for victims is urging the state's Catholic bishop to “aggressively reach out” to anyone else the cleric may have assaulted.

The priest is Fr. Joseph G. Gallatin, who was suspended in Dec. 2013 when church officials found evidence of “inappropriate conduct with a minor” around 1998 in his personnel file. Those records included reference to"the sexual nature of his contact" with a West Virginia boy and his "admitted sexual attraction to boys as young as 12," a former high-ranking church official-turned-whistleblower wrote. 

Last month, a St. Paul Minnesota church panel determined that "significant restrictions" would be placed on Fr. Gallatin with continued monitoring and very limited ministry not involving children.

Jennifer Haselberger, the former chancellor of the St. Paul archdiocese, wrote a stunning 107 page affidavit that was filed in a civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit in the Twin Cities. In it, she outlined; 

--repeated instances of a "cavalier attitude" towards the safety of children by Catholic officials and 

--about 20 clergy in ministry who were guilty of sexual misconduct with adults and children despite bishops' pledges of “zero tolerance.”

Fr. Gallatin is mentioned by name 18 times in the document.

Click here for her full affidavit.

Fr. Gallatin's records may be available from St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson (jeff@andersonadvocates.com, 612 817 8665 cell, 651 227 9990), who represents abuse victims.

We call on Bishop Michael J. Bransfield Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to use his resources to seek out others who may have been hurt by Fr. Gallatin. Bransfield should put notices in parish bulletins and church websites and make pulpit announcements across the state this Sunday, urging anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Fr. Gallatin to call police and get help.