MICHIGAN
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Friday, Aug. 14
Statement by SNAP leader Bill McAlary (616-514-0654, bllmack1@gmail.com), who was abused as a child by Fr. Stanislaus A. Bur, who worked in parishes in Grand Rapids, Beal City, Hastings, Traverse City, Muskegon, Ionia, Maple City, Beal City, Kinde, Pinnebog and Beaver).
Grand Rapids Catholic officials apparently kept silent about child sex abuse reports against a priest. They apparently kept silent when while supposedly “investigating” those reports. They apparently kept silent when they deemed those reports credible. They apparently kept silent when they quietly sent the case to the Vatican. And only now, likely years later, are Grand Rapids Catholic officials finally disclosing that he’s a child molester, while providing virtually no helpful information that might protect other vulnerable kids Shame on them.
Fr. Charles Antekeier is a priest. But now he can’t act like one in public. This is a belated, tiny step forward. Much remains to be done.
Despite a national church abuse policy that supposedly mandates “openness and transparency,” Bishop David J. Walkowiak refuses to
–say where Fr. Antekeier is now,
–say when the abuse report was made,
–say whether Fr. Antekeier is being supervised,
— say whether he molested boys or girls,
–say whether Fr. Antekeier admitted the crimes, or
–say whether they’ve given police and prosecutors.
This is reckless, callous and deceptive. Parents, parishioners, police, prosecutors and the public deserve more information so they can protect other innocent kids.
We beg every single person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Grand Rapids – by Fr. Antekeier or other clerics – to call police right away. All adults must protect kids, expose predators and stop cover ups, even if it may seek hard or risky.
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