Attorney: Report abuse allegations to police, not church By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola Gallup Independent correspondent religion@gallupindependent.com February 1, 2014 GALLUP — News that a Diocese of Gallup priest, the Rev. Timothy Conlon, was removed from ministry because of a credible, decades-old abuse allegation sparked a response from a Phoenix attorney. Robert E. Pastor, who currently represents more than a dozen clergy sex abuse claimants in the Diocese of Gallup’s bankruptcy case, objected to the news media including requests from church officials to have clergy sex abuse allegations reported to the church. “Victims should call police first not the Catholic Church,” Pastor said in an email. Pastor, a former prosecutor, added that victims and those called to protect children, should always contact law enforcement first. In a statement about Conlon’s removal, David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also encouraged anyone who had “seen, suspected or suffered crimes by Conlon” to contact law enforcement. “It’s irresponsible to do nothing just because the crimes may have happened elsewhere or long ago,” Clohessy said. “Child molesters rarely stop. And police and prosecutors are getting more creative and aggressive about pursuing even older child sex crimes. “So it’s our job to share what we know and suspect with law enforcement,” he added. “It’s their job to determine whether charges can be filed.” Conlon’s religious order, the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, requested abuse allegations be reported to them, according to their news release Monday. On Wednesday, the Diocese of Gallup’s news release similarly requested allegations be reported to diocesan officials.

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