Group Wants Northfield Priest Disciplined for Support of Ex-school Board President Convicted of Child Porn

By Dave Nethers
Fox 8
June 4, 2015

http://fox8.com/2015/06/04/group-wants-northfield-priest-disciplined-for-support-of-ex-school-board-president-convicted-of-child-porn/

NORTHFIELD, Ohio- A national advocacy group for victims of sex crimes is asking Bishop Richard Lennon of the Diocese of Cleveland to formally discipline a local priest for his support of a high-profile sex offender.

Fr. Ralph Wiatrowski of St. Barnabas Church wrote a letter to Judge Richard Reinbold in April asking for leniency in the sentencing of former Nordonia Hills School Board President Steven Bittle.

Bittle pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. He also staged armed standoff with authorities outside of his Sagamore Hills home last September.

Court records reflect he had long been a member of St. Barnabas Church, where he served on the parish finance council and ministries that served children from preschool to junior high age.

In his letter to the court Fr. Wyatrowski asked judge Reinbold “for any leniency that could be shown to Mr. Bittel.” Twice in the letter, the St. Barnabas pastor asked the court not to send Bittel to prison.

“I do not think that incarceration would serve any good purpose,” wrote Wyatrowski.

The letter has generated an angry response among some in the St. Barnabas community who feel it was inappropriate, irresponsible and even dangerous.

On Thursday, the St. Louis-based advocacy group SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, added its voice to those who feel Fr. Wyatrowsky should be disciplined.

“This is important because if you ignore wrongdoing you encourage more wrongdoing,” said SNAP Executive Director David Clohessy in a phone interview with FOX 8.

“If Bishop Lennon stays silent while his staff and his flock advocate publicly to get light sentences for sex offenders, that’s going to simply mean that fewer sex offenders are locked up for shorter times and more kids will be vulnerable,” added Clohessy.

Another letter of support for Bittel has already resulted in the resignation of James Vrost, Bittle’s successor as the President of the Nordonia Hills School Board.

Wyatrowski has already penned a letter to his congregation explaining that his request for lieniency in Bittle’s case was not meant to condone his illegal actions.

“Its all well and good for catholic officials to pray for or visit or console sex offenders but its callous and reckless for catholic officials to help sex offenders get lighter sentences and that’s what fr. ralph essentially did and that’s what Bishop Lennon should discipline him for,” said Clohessy.

The Cleveland Diocese responded to the SNAP demands on Thursday with a written statement of their own, which reads:

“The recent conviction and sentencing of Steven Bittel serves as a stark reminder that child pornography remains a threat to the well being and safety of our children. Recognizing threats like this and recognizing its own past failings, the Catholic Church in the United States has done more in recent years to assure the protection of children than any other institution. Here in the Diocese of Cleveland, through the implementation of the Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse, the parishes of the Diocese, including St. Barnabas, are doing all that they can to create safe environments for the children in their care through extensive training and background checks for all employees and volunteers who will have contact with children.

“While we acknowledge that reasonable people can have differing opinions about Fr. Ralph Wiatrowksi’s communication to the court regarding Mr. Bittel, the efforts of Fr. Wiatrowski and St. Barnabas Parish in creating a safe environment for the children of the parish speak clearly in support of their commitment to the safety and well being of children.

“Father Wiatrowski has stated, ‘in no way did I condone the base charges or offenses for which Mr. Bittel had already been convicted. I regret deeply any interpretation that I would condone such behavior and I am sorry for the confusion.’

“Father Wiatrowski with the assistance of the Diocese is reaching out to those who have personally come forward with their concerns while reaffirming his personal commitment and that of the parish for the safety and protection of children.”

The statement was not signed by Bishop Lennon.

“The Catholic church has said time and time again they will do everything in their power to protect children and so this is a chance for Bishop Lennon to do just that,” said Barbara Dorris, the Outreach Director for SNAP, adding that she feels Bishop Lennon “needs to step in. He needs to educate the community and he needs to hold those who do something this dangerous accountable.”

“No one is saying sex offenders should be hungry, homeless or shunned, but presumably no one who cares about kids wants sex offenders walking the streets that’s why we have a criminal process and that’s why we have prisons. It’s unpleasant, but the sad simple truth is unless child predators are locked up they almost always continue to hurt kids, its just that simple,” Clohessy said.