CA -- New evidence surfaces against controversial SF priest; SNAP responds

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
April 23, 2015

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ca_new_evidence_surfaces_against_controversial_sf_priest_snap_responds

Once again Bay Area Catholics learn about serious charges against a priest only through the news media, not from their alleged “shepherds.”

Star of the Sea parishioners have apparently learned via news reports that their pastor, Fr. Joseph Illo, was essentially deemed guilty of intimidating a young alleged victim of a predator priest.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/old-court-case-fuels-calls-for-sf-pastors-ouster/Content?oid=2927614

When will Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone learn that, in the words of Martin Luther King, “no lie lives forever.” When will he start being honest with Catholics about the misconduct of their priests?

Shame on him, Fr. Illo, and other San Francisco church officials who kept the jury verdict against Fr. Illo hidden.

This isn’t an “allegation” against Fr. Illo. It’s a jury verdict. An impartial, vetted group of citizens heard all the evidence and found that Fr. Illo had indeed mistreated this brave young girl.

(That same jury found the accused predator in this case, Fr. Francis Arakal, not guilty of sexual battery. But we strongly suspect the outcome would have been very different if Fr. Illo, his colleagues and his supervisors had acted responsibly in this case and aggressively reached out to victims instead of intimidating them.)

For the safety of kids and the healing of victims, we call on the archbishop to suspend Fr. Illo immediately. Otherwise, Bay Area priests will get the message that it’s OK to yell at a child

Finally, shame on parishioner Vivian Dudro who admitted Fr. Illo’s behavior would have made a child feel “at the very least uncomfortable and intimidated” but also somehow manages to believe there was no misbehavior on the priest’s part even though an impartial jury awarded the girl $20,000.

In a stunning display of callousness, Dudro also said “If there’s anybody who can pump new life into this church, it’s Father Illo.”

She obviously believes that a priest’s alleged skill at growing his flock trumps his proven intimidation of a young alleged child sex abuse victim. Imagine what Jesus might say to her.

 And shame on Larry Kamer, one of Cordileone’s public relations team. He said “In this particular case, the police and the jury both found that there was never any abuse and the matter was resolved on other issues.” That’s disingenuous spin.

The jury did find insufficient evidence to deem Fr. Arakal guilty. But they found ample evidence to deem Fr. Illo guilty. Shame on Kamer for twisting the truth, insulting the jury and re-victimizing the brave girl and her family.

Kamer, also encouraged Catholics to express any concerns directly with the parish and archdiocese. He’s wrong. Those who want to protect their kids and learn the truth should contact police, prosecutors, journalists, lawyers and groups like ours. That’s the way to make a difference. Calling biased, self-serving church officials is at best a waste of time and at worst a way to enable cover ups to remain covered up.