KY - Victims sad about Louisville Catholic archbishop's promotion
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]
It’s disappointing that Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz is the new president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. His predecessor, Cardinal Tim Dolan, did a terrible job. We don’t expect Kurtz to do any better.
Kurtz refuses to join the ranks of the 30 US bishops who have posted on their websites the names of proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics – a simple, inexpensive, proven public safety measure.
In Knoxville
---Kurtz continually defended his predecessor, Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell, an admitted child predator. http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/accused/#oconnell
--- Kurtz refused to remove photos and plaques dedicated to O'Connell in diocese schools and buildings http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2004_01_06/2004_02_13_Coday_BishopsAbuse.htm
In Louisville
--- Kurtz let Fr. Bruce Ewing, who was indicted on seven felony sex charges, live in a parish for more than a year while the internal investigation was "pending"
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/accused/#oconnell
- When a church employee complained about Fr.Ewing living at her parish, she says she was fired for being a whistle blower.
http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/74504175df634466800c598055d1b85b/KY--Church-Abuse/
http://www.wdrb.com/story/13919845/couple-sues-priests-catholic-church-over-alleged-abuse
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/01_02/2011_01_27_WLKY_LouisvilleCouple.htm
In 2002, America’s Catholic bishops pledged to better protect kids from clergy predators and promised to do background checks and finger printing on employees and volunteers. We believe Kurtz has violated that pledge. He should apologize for and explain his irresponsible moves. And, we feel, he should severely discipline those responsible. (When bishops ignore or minimized wrongdoing, SNAP believes, they essentially endorse and encourage wrongdoing.)
Instead, he gets promoted by his brother bishops. What a shame.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [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
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