Sentencing of serial sexual abuser priest to take place on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, the day before Thanksgiving

Road to Recovery
November 25, 2014

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/

Salesian priest and former leader of the Salesian Fathers and Brothers, Richard McCormick, sexually abused many innocent minor children in the United States and one innocent minor child in Rome, Italy

Clergy sexual abuse victims from Massachusetts will speak after the sentencing of Fr. Richard McCormick to support the victims of Fr. McCormick and highlight the fact that clergy sexual abuse in Massachusetts and elsewhere is continuing

What: A press conference supporting the courageous victim of Fr. Richard McCormick whose pursuit of justice led to the guilty verdict on five counts of sexual abuse of a minor, and highlighting the cases of sexual abuse against other minor children by Catholic priests, deacons, nuns, and religious brothers.

When: Wednesday, November 26, 2014, immediately following the 9:00 a.m. sentencing of Fr. Richard M Cormick.

Where: On the public sidewalk outside the Essex County, MA Superior Courthouse at 43 Appleton Way, Lawrence, MA

Who: Bassam Haddad, a victim of clergy sexual abuse in Lawrence, MA; , Al Bruce, a victim of sexual abuse by a Carmelite brother who was based at the North Shore Mall in Peabody, MA; Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, co-founder and President, Road to Recovery, Inc. and advocate for victim/survivors throughout the world.

Why: It is welcome news for clergy sexual abuse victims of Fr. Richard Mc Cormick that he will most likely spend many years in a Massachusetts prison, and this case sheds light on so many other cases of clergy sexual abuse in Massachusetts and elsewhere. The sentencing of Fr. Richard McCormick will hopefully give many other clergy sexual abuse victims the courage to report their own abuse and begin the healing process. Two men from Massachusetts who were sexually abused by clergy will thank Fr. Richard McCormick’s sexual abuse victim for his courage and perseverance, and they will speak about their own attempts to hold their abusers accountable.

Bassam Haddad was a minor child at St. Joseph’s Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lawrence, MA, when he was sexually abused by serial pedophile Fr. Ross S. Frey. Fr. Ross Frey was allowed to flee to Lebanon where he recently died. Bassam Haddad is attempting to heal from the effects of sexual abuse.

Al Bruce was a high school student and football player at a Carmelite Fathers and Brothers high school in California when he was sexually abused by serial pedophile Br. Damien Chong, O. Carm., who died recently after being assigned to the Carmelite priory in Peabody, MA near the Catholic Chapel and Shrine at the North Shore Mall in Peabody. Al Bruce is trying to heal from the effects of sexual abuse.

Contact: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., 862-368-2800