MI--Accused predator priest works for girls’ non-profit; Victims respond

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
April 17, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mi_accused_predator_priest_works_for_girls_non_profit_victims_respond

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A priest who was ousted because he molested a girl now works for a non-profit that reportedly helps girls. And in a stunningly callous and reckless maneuver, top Detroit Catholic officials pretend they’re powerless to stop him.

http://www.dailytribune.com/article/DT/20160416/NEWS/160419643

Fr. Kenneth Kaucheck works for Gianna House Pregnancy and Parenting Residence, “which he founded last year along with Sister Mary Diane Masson in a former convent,” according to the Daily Tribune.

In 2009, Fr. Kaucheck was ousted from Guardian Angels parish in Clawson because of credible allegations he had molested a girl.

Five years ago, we wrote that Archbishop Allen Vigneron should disclose where Fr. Kaucheck was living, and put him in “a remote, secure treatment center so that kids can be safer and so that he can get treatment.”

Vignernon ignored us.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/061311_just_arrested_priest_is_from_detroit.htm

As best we can tell, Vigneron evidently told few or no parishioners where Kaucheck was which, we believe, is a violation of church policies and Vigneron’s repeated pledges to be “open and transparent” in clergy sex cases.

Vigneron’s irresponsible secrecy is one reason then non-profit’s board chair, Dr. Robert Walsh, says he was unaware of the accusation against Fr. Kaucheck and Fr. Kaucheck’s suspension.

But shame on him. A simple Google search would have shown that this priest allegedly molested at least one girl. (And we strongly suspect that he molested others.

Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron claims he’s asking the Vatican’s help in ousting Fr. Kaucheck from the non-profit.

He’s being deceptive, as is his public relations staffer, Joe Kohn. Both men know the church is a monarchy, that priests swear to obey their bishops, and that it’s simple, cheap and easy for church officials to protect kids from Fr. Kaucheck.

All they need to do is use the dozens of Detroit church websites and bulletins to warn families about Fr. Kaucheck. Vigneron should insist that every priest announce from the pulpit next Sunday what Fr. Kaucheck has done and where Fr. Kaucheck is. That’s a sure fire, immediate way to make it harder for him to assault another girl.

Kohn and Vigneron can also threaten Fr. Kaucheck, saying ‘We’ll give your full personnel file to law enforcement unless you do as we say.’ Frankly, they should have done so years ago.

Kohn claims Detroit church officials “are addressing the matter under canon law.” Baloney. Canon law is what bishops hide behind when they are too timid or self-serving to take decisive action against a child molesting cleric. We know of no bishop anywhere who has been penalized under ‘canon law’ for taking steps to safeguard kids froma predator priest.

So Vigneron can and should take immediate steps to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about Fr. Kaucheck and remove him from working anywhere he might have access to youngsters.

Now, let’s talk about a painfully common pattern: Bishops suspend predator priests, refuse to monitor them, and they become coaches, teachers, counselors and find other ways to be around kids.

A Kansas City priest, Fr. Thomas J. Cronin, is trying to set up a women’s shelter.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/kc_former_kc_priest_now_runs_women_s_shelter_in_nv

A Superior Wisconsin priest, Fr. Thomas E. Ericksen, worked with the Special Olympics.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_predator_priest_who_was_in_kc_finds_another_position_around_kids

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Ericksen_Thomas_E.htm

Another Kansas City priest, Fr. Michael E. Brewer, works with “disadvantaged youth” in Colorado.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2010_press_releases/011310_ousted_predator_priest_is_now_a_lawyer_2.htm

A Connecticut priest, Fr. Richard McGann, lived at a home day care center.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/042511_predator_lives_at_day_care_center_groups_say.htm

A Miami priest, Fr. Ronaldo J. Castillo, lived above a day care center.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2009_press_releases/012309_accused_predator_priest_lives_above_day_care_center.htm

A Chicago priest, Fr. John M. Furdek, lived in a building with a day care center.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2007_statements/021407_chicago_priest.htm

A Spokane priest, Fr. Patrick G. O’Donnell, became a counselor.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_why_mn_predator_priests_get_more_than_non_offenders

So did a Rockville Centre priest, Fr. Robert Huneke.

http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20160417/house-bill-means-justice-for-abused-children-says-advocate

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2003_05_04_Fosmoe_ItWas_HUNEKE.htm

A Steubenville Ohio priest, Fr. Gary Zalenski, became a college professor.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2014/05_06/2014_06_16_SNAP_PredatorPriest.htm

So did a Catholic school teacher, Thomas Hodgman (now of Adrian College) who admitted child sex crimes.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news5/2005_05_20_Erb_AdrianCollege.htm

No matter what church officials do or don’t do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions in the Detroit area to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling law enforcement, get justice by calling attorneys, and be comforted by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.

Fr. Kaucheck reportedly lives at the Manresa Jesuit retreat center in Bloomfield Hills, according to the 6/5/09 The Detroit News & http://www.manresa-sj.org/910_Auction%202010%20Photos.htm