AZ--Newly-disclosed predator priest is now in Arizona
For immediate release: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected], [email protected])
A just “outed” predator priest who reportedly molested at least one child in Minnesota is now living in Phoenix, according to Catholic officials.
http://safe-environment.archspm.org/accountability/clergy-disclosures/james-robert-murphy/
We strongly urge Phoenix Catholic officials to aggressively warn parents, police, prosecutors and the public about John Robert Murphy. We urge Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmstead to use parish bulletins, church websites and pulpit announcements to reach out to anyone in Arizona who may have seen, suspected or suffered Murphy’s crimes.
It’s possible he molested a child just last night. And it’s possible that he could be prosecuted, convicted and kept away from kids.
Murphy has allegedly been “permanently removed from ministry.” But that doesn’t absolve Catholic officials from helping to protect others from him. Bishops recruited, ordained, hired, trained, supervised and shielded predators like Murphy. So they have an obligation to safeguard vulnerable kids from him even now.
We hope anyone with information or suspicions about Murphy will call police, expose wrongdoers, protect others, and deter cover ups. Silence and inaction only helps those who commit and conceal child sex crimes.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We were founded in 1988 and have more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy 314-566-9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314-503-0003, [email protected], Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747, [email protected]
James Robert Murphy
Date of birth: 7/7/1937
Date of ordination: 1977
Murphy’s assignment history:
Assistant Pastor, St. Raphael, Crystal, 1977-1981
Assistant Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Faribault, 1981-1983
Pastor, St. Lawrence, Faribault, 1983-1989
Volunteer Chaplain, Bethlehem Academy, Faribault, 1981-1989
Diocese or religious order: Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Date permanently removed from ministry: 1990
Current location: Phoenix, AZ
Current status: Permanently removed from ministry
Date the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted this individual’s name on a list of those with claims of substantiated abuse against them: February 11, 2015
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
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