Sd- Predator Priest Admits Molesting Sd Kids

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
November 11, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/sd_predator_priest_admits_molesting_sd_kids

For immediate release: Monday, Nov. 11

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

In 1995, a Catholic priest admitted sexually assaulting several kids on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Yet no Catholic official ever told anyone about him.

Today, Fr. Clarence Vavra’s admissions have been revealed by Minnesota Public Radio.

[Minnesota Public Radio]

Fr. Varva now lives in New Prague, Minnesota.

In 2002, US bishops formally pledged to be “open and transparent” about clergy sex crimes.

Yet In 2003, Minnesota Catholic officials let Fr. Varva, an admitted serial child molester, quietly “retire” and told no one that he had committed – and acknowledged committing – heinous crimes against South Dakota kids We call on both of South Dakota’s Catholic bishops – and every current and former Catholic employee in the state - to aggressively seek out others who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Varva’s crimes, so that he might be charged, convicted, and kept away from kids and so that those he injured might find comfort.