Priest on Probation Abuses Again, SNAP Responds

SNAP
September 23, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_priest_on_probation_abuses_again_snap_responds

A New York priest, who has been on probation since 2008 for child sex crimes, has struck again. He's allegedly been caught abusing a six year old girl, who now has a sexually transmitted disease. Our hearts ache for this innocent girl who might never have been hurt had church officials acted responsibly.

Fr. Augusto Cortez, who is a member of the Vincentian religious order from Brooklyn, abused a 12 year old child in 2008. Vincentian officials should have immediately removed him to a remote and secure treatment facility so that he could not harm another child. Instead they allegedly wrote letters on Cortez’s behalf. It is deeply upsetting, although not surprising, that Cortex has abused another child, by exploiting the trust of an unsuspecting family.

According to news reports, after being arrested Cortez was released and has now disappeared.

We urge everyone to remain vigilant. Vincentian officials should immediately reach out to everyone who may have come in contact with Cortez and beg them to come forward and report what they know. They should use their websites, mailing lists, and bulletin boards to warn people about him.

Brooklyn's Bishop Nicholas Dimarzio should do the same. The Vincentians work in his diocese with his permission. He is responsible for the safety and well being of his flock. He must aggressively try to find others with knowledge or suspicions about Cortez' crimes.

We encourage anyone who saw, suspects, or suffered child sex crimes by Cortez, or any other church official, to immediately come forward, report what you know, and start healing.