CA - Grand jury indicts Stockton priest; SNAP responds

For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014

Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434,jcasteix@gmail.com)

This indictment is a huge victory for Kelly's victims, who have fought for years to ensure that what happened to them never happens to another child. We salute them for their tenacity against what seemed to be huge odds.

The indictment is also the main reason that victims pursue justice in the civil courts. Civil lawsuits can be the best way to unearth evidence that can help law enforcement and grand juries.

We call on Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire to turn over all information he has on Michael Kelly, publicly apologize to victims and Catholics for allowing Kelly to remain in ministry, and reach out to all of Stockton's Catholics, urging them to come forward if they have been abused or seen or suspected abuse. We certainly hope that his planned bankruptcy filing is not a calculated attempt to tie up evidence and hamper the criminal justice process.

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_fe26ed0e-cc23-5567-8f85-12e970d5f43c.html

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)