Naples Priest Accused of Sex Abuse in Iowa

By Karl Fortier
JRN
March 12, 2015

http://www.jrn.com/fox4now/news/Naples-priest-accused-of-sex-abuse-in-Iowa-296131821.html

[with video]

A Naples priest is on administrative leave after recent allegations of child molestation in his former parish of Dubuque, Iowa.

The incident is alleged to have occurred 30 years ago in 1985.

The priest, Father Leo Riley, was placed on leave from his post at St. Peter the Apostle on Rattlesnake Hammock Road by the Diocese of Venice, which oversees the church.

Frank Kelly, a parishioner at St. Peter who thinks well of Father Riley, wishes he was still on the job.

"That's all it is, an accusation," Kelly said. "Everybody's vulnerable for any little thing you did, and any little thing you might have done in your past that was youth-oriented."

David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests- or SNAP - says that even though the alleged abuse happened three decades ago, it should still be taken seriously.

"The sad simple truth is, the overwhelming majority of adults who were abused as kids can't report these crimes until decades later," he said.

He says the investigation shouldn't be confined to Iowa.

"Bishops in both Iowa and Florida should be using their vast resources to try to find anybody who was hurt by him, and make sure that those people get help, and make sure that those people also contact law enforcement," Clohessy said.

Frank Kelly believes placing Father Riley on administrative leave is premature.

"It's punishment before the actual crime is proven," he said. "That's the way life goes today."

Clohessy says that anyone who was the victim of abuse should know that healing is possible.

"You can recover from this awful childhood trauma," he said. "But only if you find the courage and the strength to break your silence, and reach out to somebody who knows what you're going through."

A statement from the Diocese of Venice says:

"Father Riley strenuously denies that the allegation is true and maintains that he is innocent. The Diocese of Venice notified the parishes where Fr. Riley served and received no accusations against him."