Radio Host Leads Protests over Disgraced Priest's Proximity to School

By DeAnn Smith
KCTV
September 4, 2015

http://www.kctv5.com/story/29964017/radio-host-leads-protests-over-disgraced-priests-proximity-to-school

[with video]

Some neighbors are backing a disgraced Roman Catholic priest, but some parents are angry to find out he lives near their children's school.

Father Michael Tierney moved into his parents home near St. Peter's School, which is located at East Meyer and Charlotte Avenue. He allegedly abused children he met through the Catholic diocese at the home.

Popular radio host Danny Boi is one of the St. Peter's parents upset to learn Tierney lives so close to his children's school. The 96.5 The Buzz host is himself a survivor of sexual abuse so he went to Tierney's door on Thursday and unsuccessfully tried to talk to him.

"I just wanted to ask if you would voluntarily stay away," Boi told the closed door in case Tierney was inside his residence.

Tierney is no longer an active priest, but he has not been defrocked by the Vatican despite the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph paying money to settle sex abuse claims involving Tierney.

The diocese settled with 32 sex abuse victims for abuse suffered at the hands of 14 priests including Tierney. Four child sex abuse lawsuits against him have been settled, and he has long been subject of SNAP's ire with the Catholic Church. Then Bishop Robert Finn apparently first learned of the allegations against Tierney in 2008 but apparently didn't remove him over "credible reports" of abuse until June 2011. The allegations dated back to the 1970s and 1980s.

Church officials say they can't stop Tierney, who was ordained in 1969, from living in a private residence. Tierney is not to have any contact with the school, and church leaders say he has honored that commitment.

But Boi and others are upset that they weren't given a warning that Tierney was attending the church and living so near the school.

"What is the diocese doing? . . . . It looks like they haven't learned anything," Boil said. "That's just shocking to me that my lips would touch the same cup as that man and I wouldn't even know it."

Others who live next door to Tierney and have known him for decades say the priest is a good man who has never done or said anything to make them uncomfortable. They said they support him and are upset over the backlash he is enduring.

What do you think? Stay social with us. Click here to share your thoughts on our Facebook page.