Letter delivered to HI Bishop Silva

This letter was delivered to Hawaii Bishop Silva yesterday regarding Fr. Marc Alexander: 

SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
P.O. Box 6416
Chicago, IL 60680-6416
SNAPNetwork.org

Most Rev. Clarence Silva
Bishop, Diocese of Honolulu
1184 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI  96813

January  24, 2012

Dear Bishop Silva,

We are clergy abuse victims or supporters who belong to a national support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Our mission is to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.

We are writing to you because of our deep concern about Fr. Marc Alexander, who earlier this month resigned from his position as the Governor's Coordinator on the Homeless because of an "improper sexual relationship with a woman when he was still a priest." Since then, press reports say that Fr. Alexander has been implicated in other numerous incidents of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with adults and teens while he was a priest and the Vicar General of the Honolulu Diocese. 

The most disturbing allegation is that you sent Alexander to the Saint Luke Institute in Maryland where he was put in treatment for predator priests. If this is true, you understood the seriousness of the claims against Alexander, but did not bother to warn the governor of the serious threat Alexander poses. In fact, it looks as if you "dumped" Alexander onto the people of Hawaii and turned a blind eye to the homeless, who relied upon Alexander for help and aid.

Victims, parents, parishioners and the public need and deserve answers and action from you. That is why we are asking that you IMMEDIATELY:

-- Disclose all allegations against Fr. Marc Alexander and why he left the priesthood,
-- Explain why and when Alexander was sent to a church-run treatment center for predator priests
-- Admit and explain why he did not warn state officials of the serious risk the former priest posed.
-- Publicly apologize for endangering Hawaii's homeless families and children,
-- Beg anyone who has been abused, or seen or suspected abuse, to report to law enforcement.


It's possible that Marc Alexander may have harmed other vulnerable adults and/or children. You owe the people of Hawaii an explanation, accountability and an public apology for putting Hawaii's children at risk. You also did a tremendous disservice to Alexander's alleged victims and all victims of abuse when you kept quiet about the allegations against Alexander and then dumped him on a vulnerable population.  At best, your actions were reckless. At worst, they were intentional endangerment. Either way, you do not get a "free pass."

You have a tremendous opportunity to foster openness and healing. Do not waste it.

We anticipate your urgent response and taking action to help get predators in jail so that no more vulnerable adults and children are at risk of being sexually violated.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director
636-433-2511, [email protected]

Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Director
949-322-7434, [email protected]