Abuse victims blast Reno Catholic bishop
Abuse victims blast Reno Catholic bishop
His “accused” list is “inaccurate & inadequate,” group says
SNAP: “Seven more names should be added to the church website”
Victims, witnesses & whistle blowers are urged to call law enforcement
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, two clergy sex abuse survivors will disclose names and information about seven publicly accused child molesting clerics who spent time in the Reno area but who are absent from the bishop’s list of credibly accused clerics who have spent time in the Reno diocese.
They will also
--prod Reno’s Catholic bishop to add more names to his “credibly accused” clergy list,
--urge victims to “step forward, get help, protect kids and expose perpetrators,” and
--encourage anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover ups in Nevada to contact both the Diocese of Reno and appropriate sources of outside help: law enforcement, therapists and support groups like ours.
WHEN
Tuesday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Reno Catholic diocese headquarters (“chancery office”), 290 S. Arlington (corner of Ridge) in Reno NV (775 326 9410)
WHO
One-two abuse victims who belong to a group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
1—Last month, Reno Bishop Randolph Calvo finally posted names of 12 "credibly accused" abusers on his website. https://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Reno_Catholic_Diocese_names_accused_priests-508185171.html
But SNAP has learned of seven publicly accused clerics who were ‘outed’ elsewhere but who spent time in the Reno as well. They also do not appear on the diocese's ‘credibly accused’ list.
The ‘new’ names are:
--Fr. Theodore W. Feeley, who worked in Illinois, Nevada, and multiple dioceses in California. In 2002, two men came forward to accuse Fr. Feely of child sexual abuse from roughly 1968 to 1972 while he worked in Rockford, Illinois. One of the men filed a civil suit in 2006 against the Rockford diocese.
From 1989-1991, he was at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno.
https://www.andersonadvocates.com/Documents/posts/Diocese%20of_San_Bernardino_Report.pdf
--Fr. Robert Buchanan, who worked in the dioceses of San Diego, San Bernardino, and Reno. At least one person has come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Fr. Buchanan in 1972 while he worked at a San Diego school. He has been named in at least one civil lawsuit. Before he was sent to work in Reno, Fr. Buchanan was sent to the New Life Institute for Human Development in Virginia for counseling to receive help with personal problems. Fr. Buchanan retired in approximately 2009 and from 2013-2016, he reportedly lived at 2875 Idlewild Dr., #29, Reno, NV 89509.
From 1996-2003, he was at Our Lady of the Snows parish in Reno.
https://www.andersonadvocates.com/Documents/posts/Diocese%20of_San_Bernardino_Report.pdf
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/05_06/2006_06_16_Sauer_WomanSues.htm
--Fr. Gary M. Luiz, who belongs to the Society of the Precious Blood religious order. He was named in a civil lawsuit in 2003 which alleged that he sexually abused one child from roughly 1980 to 1986. Oakland diocese officials claim they did not learn about the allegations until 1990, after which he was immediately placed on leave. Fr. Luiz later earned a degree in canon law and worked in a missionary office, and was working at a Berkeley monastery as of 2005. He is on the Oakland diocese’s ‘credibly accused’ list.
https://www.oakdiocese.org/offices/chancellor/credible-accusations
Ordained in 1977, he worked in five California locations: Alameda, Newark, Berkeley, Oakland and Ripon. According to the Official Catholic Directory, from 2004-2017 he was the ‘defender of the bond’ and from 2014-2017, he was the ‘promoter of justice,” both in the Reno diocese.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/03_04/2008_04_14_ContraCostaTimes_AccusedClerics.htm
--Fr. Stanley T. Wisniewski, who was a Jesuit and was ‘outed’ earlier this year when the order’s Midwest Province put out a list of ‘credibly accused’ clerics. He spent time in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois and Clarkson, Michigan.
Fr. Wisniewski worked in three Nevada towns: St. Patrick parish in Fallon (1992-1999), Holy Family parish in Las Vegas (1991-1992) and Our Lady of the Snows parish inReno (1988-1991).
--Fr. Robert F. Corrigal, who was accused of sexually abusing kids in 1959 and then again from 1968-1972, according to his church supervisors. Last years, the Jesuit’sWestern Province put his name on their list of ‘credibly accused clergy.’
He also spent time in three Washington towns (Seattle, Spokane and Port Townsend), one in California (Los Gatos) and five in Alaska (Fairbanks, Anchorage, St. Mary's, Bethel and Russian Station).
From 1970-1971, he was at the University of Nevada in Reno.
http://jesuitswest.org/Assets/Publications/File/JW_List_1207_English.pdf
--Fr. John P. Leary, who was at five California locations (Los Gatos, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Sausalito and San Francisco), two in Washington (Spokane and Port Townsend), one in Oregon (Portland) and one in Utah (Logan).He also workd in New York City and in Rome.
From 1988-1991, he was at Master of Leadership College and from 1979-1985 he was at Old College, both in Reno.
http://jesuitswest.org/Assets/Publications/File/JW_List_1207_English.pdf
--Fr. Bertrand “Bert” Horvath, who was a Conventual Franciscan priest and was accepted into the Los Angeles archdiocese in 1972 where he worked in Santa Ana andMission Viejo. In 1974, he left the archdiocese. A 2002 civil lawsuit alleged that Fr Horvath sexually abused a child from roughly 1971 to 1974 in Mission Viejo.
He worked in several dioceses, including the Amarillo diocese where he was allegedly stationed for 20 years. He left there in around 2000 after the Diocese of Orange notified Amarillo church officials about allegations of child sexual abuse against him. Fr. Horvath was included in the Los Angeles archdiocese’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. It is believed Fr. Horvath was living in Ohio and may have died in approximately 2012.
From 1985-1986, he was at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno.
All of these priests, SNAP says, “for the safety of kids and the healing of victims,” should be included on the Reno list of ‘credibly accused" clerics, and church officials should publicly explain these omissions.
2--Reno’s list of "credibly accused" priests also omits the photos and whereabouts of those priests. Those details should be provided, SNAP says, because they will help survivors identify their abuse as well as protect kids.
Where these priests are now is important because nearby parents and prospective employers should be warned about their presence. That is the single best step the diocese could take to prevent more horrific crimes against more innocent kids.
How they looked in the past is important because that information helps victims identify them. It usually takes decades for survivors to come forward. They might only recall that everyone called him "Father Mac," not knowing whether he was Fr. Mack Smith or Fr. McGillicuty or Fr. MacArthur. Even parents who are long-time parishioners may have trouble remembering a priest who worked in their church just a few months.
Every time an abuser remains hidden, kids remain at risk, SNAP maintains. “Disclosing the truth is the best way to safeguard the vulnerable, heal the wounded and help the church move forward,” the group says.
Finally, SNAP is begging anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes or cover ups in Nevada to contact local law enforcement.
Contact: Patrick Wilkes ([email protected]); Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director