OHIO
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, June 2, 2016
For more information: Dan Frondorf 513-706-7403, danielfrondorf@gmail.com, David Clohessy 314-566-9790 cell,davidgclohessy@gmail.com, Barbara Dorris 314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org
In rare move, archbishop sues parishioners
Child sex victims welcome “more aggressive action”
But they blast Catholic officials for ignoring abuse “enablers”
SNAP: Prelate should sue or discipline those who hid child sex crimes
“Why is church money more important than our kids?” support group asks
Organization writes to head of Cincinnati archdiocese urging pursuit of “enablers”
In what’s being called “an unprecedented move,” Cincinnati’s Catholic archbishop is suing local parishioners and parish staff because they allegedly kept silent about their pastor’s theft of $1.5 million. And a victims group is urging the prelate to file similar suits against church employees who ignored or hid child sex crimes.
In March, Fr. Earl Simone pleaded guilty to aggravated theft of $1.5 million from St. Peter Church in Huber Heights. On Sunday, an apology from him was read at the parish.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/crime-law/former-st-peters-priest-expected-to-plea-in-theft-/nqgwN/
And on Monday, a local television station disclosed that Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr is suing ten “John Does” at the parish who reportedly knew of or were involved in the theft but kept silent.
[WDTN]
[WHIO]
Leaders of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests say they have never seen Catholic officials defrock, demote, discipline – much less sue – a single church official or member for hiding child sex crimes. (In Cincinnati, there are almost 30 publicly accused predator priests, SNAP says, which likely means that dozens or even hundreds of church staff might be guilty of ignoring or concealing abuse and should, if the archbishop’s new approach is consistently applied, be sued.)
“We’ve long said bishops refuse to punish church staff who hurt others. So at one level, we’re glad to see a tougher approach by Archbishop Schnurr,” said Dan Frondorf, SNAP’s volunteer Cincinnati leader. “But this aggressive approach should be applied to those involved in child sexual abuse, not just theft.”
“When our kids are at risk, Cincinnati Catholic officials ignore, tolerate or ‘forgive’ wrongdoers. But when it’s their money at risk, Cincinnati Catholic sue wrongdoers,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s executive director. “If the archbishop wants to get tough, he should do so against those who hid child sex crimes.”
At the very least, SNAP says, Schnurr should hire independent investigators to determine exactly which church employees should be disciplined or sued.
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