CALIFORNIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP western regional director (949) 322-7434 cell, jcasteix@gmail.com
A San Diego priest, Fr. Jacob Betrand, has been criminally charged with sexual assault in Minnesota. He’s also been accused of paying his victim to keep her quiet. But what we find even more troubling is the fact that church officials in San Diego may have known about the allegations for at least four years and did nothing to alert Catholics of the risk.
Bertrand only stepped down when he learned that criminal charges were imminent.
He now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Bishop Robert McElroy, like his brother bishops, has promised complete transparency when it comes to sexual abuse and assault. Yet, for the second time this year, he has turned a blind eye to the safety of parishioners who encounter his priests and former priests.
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