MISSOURI
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Posted by David Clohessy on April 18, 2013
■“Damning” police report will be released
■It shows priest admits “sexual attraction” to boy
■Cleric was sued and temporarily suspended in 2009
■But Vatican has just “cleared him,” his relative says
■So archbishop may put him back to work, SNAP fears
■Church hid the fact that a 2nd victim also sued & settled
■A victim’s friend & relative will speak publicly for first time
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, three people who have never spoken publicly before will disclose, for the first time,
–parts of an incriminating police report on a local predator priest who was suspended in 2009, and
–the existence of a second lawsuit against and secret settlement involving the same predator priest.
Along with SNAP members, they will call on St. Louis’ Catholic archbishop to
–keep the suspended priest out of ministry,
–reveal where he now lives and how many settlements involving him have been paid,
–put him in a remote, secure treatment center, and
–reach out to anyone he may have hurt, especially in Belize (where he worked a few years ago).
WHEN
TODAY, Thursday, April 18 at 1 p.m.
WHERE
Outside archdiocesan chancery office, 4440 Lindell (near Sarah) in the CWE
WHO
Three St. Louisans who have never spoken publicly before and are all connected to the same predator priest. One is Christopher Bertke, whose friend was molested by the priest. Another is John Doe, a victim who sued that priest. The third is a relative of a victim of that same priest. (The latter two will talk in silhouette without revealing their names.) With them will be two leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
WHY
In 2009, Fr. Kevin F. Hederman – a St. Louis priest – was suspended from his ministry in Belize when he was sued for allegedly abusing a St. Louis teenager who he met at Christian Brothers high school (CBC) in Clayton.
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