Settlement Reached in Nd/hi Abuse Case, SNAP Responds

By David Clohessy
SNAP
May 6, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/hi_settlement_reached_in_nd_hi_abuse_case_snap_responds

A civil child sex abuse and cover up case involving a Hawaii Catholic priest and a North Dakota Catholic diocese has been settled.

Steven Crochet filed his case against the diocese for the abuse he suffered as a child by Rev. Maurice G. McNeely on a US Army base in Hawaii. The details of the settlement have not been released, but according to news reports McNeely did not admit to his guilt in the settlement. This does not surprise us, many credibly accused clerics never admit what they did. We are glad the Crochet is happy with the results and we hope he is able to find peace.

We hope McNeely’s superiors still take action against him, placing him in a secure and remote treatment facility. We hope anyone else who saw, suspects, or suffered abuse by McNeely – or any other official – comes forward, reports to police and gets help.