CLEVELAND (OH)
SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests [Chicago IL]
May 10, 2024
Watchdog groups respond to new revelations of two accused sexual predators in Cleveland parishesThey ask: How many other sex offenders are active in the diocese? In a letter to Bishop Malesic, they express concern about his “carelessness” and urge him to take immediate action
In the wake of revelations yesterday that two accused sexual predators are helping to lead Mass in Cleveland parishes, two watchdog groups are calling on Bishop Edward Malesic to act immediately to identify and remove all other diocesan personnel who might pose a risk to children and young people. Calling the news “alarming,” a co-director of BishopAccountability.org and a longtime Ohio leader of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) are urging Malesic to take “personal responsibility” for ensuring that only adults with clean records work at his parishes, schools, hospitals, and summer camps. In the last 24 hours, the public has learned of two accused sexual abusers serving in leadership posts in Cleveland parishes.
- A Cleveland news station revealed yesterday that at St. Thomas More in Brooklyn OH, the man leading the parish in song on many Sundays for the last year is, shockingly, listed on the state’s sex offender registry. He recently served a year in prison for attempted sexual contact with a child.
Exclusive: Sex offender allowed to help lead CLE Catholic church masses, Channel 5 News, 5/9/2024 - And a national Catholic newspaper reported Thursday that Rev. Jeffrey Weaver, a priest accused by a diocesan official in the 1990s of sexually exploiting a teenager, has been presiding at the Latin Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish in Cleveland.
Cleveland priest at center of Vatican II altar damage previously accused of abuse, National Catholic Reporter, 5/9/2024
The revelations raise doubts about the credibility of Malesic’s oft-stated claim that the diocese is working hard to make children safe, the leaders say. Yesterday’s alarming news comes just a month after the two groups held a news conference in Cleveland to urge the bishop to stop withholding the names of dozens of Cleveland clergy who have been accused of molesting children. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, described Cleveland as “one of the most secretive dioceses in the United States,” and published a list of 50 accused clerics, including Rev. Weaver, who are missing from the bishop’s published list of accused abusers. https://www.bishop-accountability.org/50-publicly-accused-clerics-who-should-be-added-to-bishop-malesics-list/ “We know that Bishop Malesic is hiding the names of clerics who have been credibly accused of preying upon kids. But now we learn that the diocese has allowed a sex offender to hide in plain sight as a parish leader. Why would the bishop think this is consistent with his child safety claims?” said Claudia Vercellotti, longtime leader in Ohio of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The groups sent a letter to Bishop Malesic today expressing their concern and describing the actions he should take now. The full text is published below.
CONTACT INFO
Anne Barrett Doyle, Co-Director
BishopAccountability.org Cell: (781) 439-5208 barrett.doyle@comcast.net
Claudia Vercellotti, Longtime leader in Toledo, Ohio of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)Phone: 419-345-9291 Email: ClaudiaYV@gmail.com
LETTER SENT VIA EMAIL TO BISHOP EDWARD MALESIC OF CLEVELAND ON MAY 10, 2024
Dear Bishop Malesic, You often say that the Cleveland diocese is committed to child protection, and as evidence you point to its “robust policies regarding background checks.” Respectfully, Bishop, we must say that two alarming news reports on Thursday are raising doubts about your claim. In the last 24 hours, the public has learned of two accused sexual abusers serving in leadership posts in Cleveland parishes. A Cleveland news station revealed yesterday that at St. Thomas More in Brooklyn OH, the man leading the parish in song on many Sundays for the last year is, shockingly, listed on the state’s sex offender registry. He recently served a year in prison for attempted sexual contact with a child. See: Exclusive: Sex offender allowed to help lead CLE Catholic church masses, Channel 5 News, 5/9/2024
And a national Catholic newspaper reported Thursday that Rev. Jeffrey Weaver, a priest accused by a diocesan official in the 1990s of sexually exploiting a teenager, has been presiding at the Latin Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish in Cleveland. See: Cleveland priest at center of Vatican II altar damage previously accused of abuse, National Catholic Reporter, 5/9/2024
In both cases, the men have regularly been in proximity to underage altar servers, with many other children and young people nearby in the pews. One of the especially disturbing revelations is that the diocese apparently knew of and approved the volunteer ministry of Keith Kozak, the convicted sex offender who has been a cantor at St. Thomas More. Channel 5 asked Mr. Kozak if he had told church personnel about his criminal record. Yes, Kozak said. He had discussed it in a “nice long talk” with his pastor, Father Michael Feldtz. “Plus I filed paperwork with the diocese,” Kozak said. Your own statement to Channel 5 implicitly confirmed this, describing what you claimed were “substantial limitations” supposedly put on Kozak while he was on parish property. Is this what you mean when you promise a “safe environment,” Bishop Malesic? The diocese knew, and you knew or should have known, that a convicted sexual abuser was active in one of your parishes. And you certainly knew or should have known that one of your accused priests was saying Mass. Your website’s clergy directory cites Rev. Jeffery Weaver as “awaiting assignment.” He appears to be no longer waiting: he can be seen on youtube celebrating Mass at St. Elizabeth’s as recently as March, as part of the Latin Rite institute you recently welcomed into the diocese. It pains us to say, Bishop Malesic, that your carelessness has put children at risk. You have betrayed the trust of Cleveland Catholics. A bishop committed to child protection would not allow either a convicted sex offender or an accused priest to present himself as a trusted parish leader. And now we can’t help but worry: How many other accused sex offenders are actively working in your parishes and schools? We fear there could be more. And so we’re urging you to take four immediate actions:
- Send a letter to supervisors of every parish, school, hospital, and other entity in the Cleveland diocese. Order them to notify you and law enforcement of any other volunteer or employee who is an admitted, proven or credibly accused sexual abuser.
- Take personal responsibility for ensuring that all of these accused persons are removed from their posts
- Use all of your information channels – your parish bulletins, the diocesan media, the diocesan website, and the websites of your schools and parishes – to reach out to victims and witnesses. We assure you, there are many! Tell them to report any known or suspected abuse by diocesan personnel first to law enforcement and then to you.
- Demote or otherwise discipline the pastor of St. Thomas More, Rev. Michael Feldtz, for allowing a convicted sex offender to serve in such a prominent post in his parish. And order Rev. Weaver to stop presiding at and assisting at Masses at St. Elizabeth.
For the sake of the thousands of precious children in your schools and parishes, Bishop Malesic, we beg you to turn a new leaf. End your secrecy and negligent oversight. Too much is at stake. Sexual abuse destroys lives. You surely know this by now. Please heed the vows of Pope Francis to end cover-up and abuse, and become accountable to the people you have been ordained to serve. Sincerely, Anne Barrett Doyle, Co-Director
BishopAccountability.org Claudia VercellottiToledo-based leader of SNAP (Survivors of those Abused by Priests)