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Activists Warn Of Abuse Allegations Against Ex-Priest Who Lives In Yonkers

By Dina Grace Zoe Sciortino
Yonkers Daily Voice
October 28, 2014

http://yonkers.dailyvoice.com/news/activists-warn-abuse-allegations-against-ex-priest-who-lives-yonkers

Roger Vaughn of Yonkers is a former priest accused of child molestation.

YONKERS, N.Y.-- The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is demanding the Archdiocese of New York warn its parishioners about child molestation claims against Roger Vaughn, one of its former priests.

“We call on New York Catholic officials to tell parents, parishioners warn the public about him and beg anyone who may have been hurt by him to come forward and get help,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s national director.

Vaughn, 66, is believed to have worked at a Westchester grammar school and college, as well as various assignments in New York for more than a decade. Vaughn lives in Yonkers, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis.

SNAP, a self-help group with chapters across the country for those who’ve been sexually assaulted by clergy, wants church officials to use parish bulletins, press releases, websites and other announcements to advise the public of Vaughn’s past. 

Vaughn was ordained a priest of the Crosier Order in 1977. The Crosier Fathers & Brothers released a statement on Oct. 23 naming Vaughn and other priests as having one or more "substantiated claims of sexual abuse against minors." There release of names were required under a condition of a lawsuit settlement by individuals who claim to have been abused by the priests. 

Vaughn worked in various positions in the Diocese of Saint Cloud and Archidocese of Chicago between 1977 and 1987 and went onto “various assignments in New York," according to the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment.

The assignments in New York, according to BishopAccountability.org, were as follows:

  • Chaplain, Iona Grammar School, New Rochelle, 1987–92
  • Campus ministry, College of Mount St. Vincent, Bronx, 1987–89
  • Campus ministry, Manhattanville College, Purchase, 1989–93
  • Chaplain, Christian Brothers Residence, New Rochelle, 1993–96
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Staten Island, 1997–99
  • Director of Pastoral Care/Substance Abuse Counselor, Sisters of Charity Health Care System, Staten Island, 1999–2001.

He was removed from public ministry in 2000 and left his order in 2001. 

Crosier Fathers & Brothers say Vaughn was accused of sexually molesting minors between 1977 and 1984. 

Two men, a former student and alter boy, sued the Crosiers in 2006 saying they and other students were sexually abused by various priests at the Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minn., in the 70s, calling it a “house of horrors,” according to BishopAccountability.org.

Vaughn, who is listed as being sued and not convicted, worked at the seminary from 1977 to 1980.

“The only way they get on sex offender lists is when they're criminally convicted, and they are rarely ‘punished’ by Catholic officials, other than being suspended,” said Clohessy.

The Archdiocese of New York did not returns calls to Daily Voice.




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