MD - Priest, accused of abuse in Baltimore, gets “off the hook"
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A credibly accused predator priest who spent time at three institutions in Baltimore and is accused of molesting in Maryland got “off the hook” yesterday when a court ruling ended a lawsuit against him and his church supervisors.
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/12/news/augusta/supreme-court-rules-against-augusta-man-in-his-suit-against-diocese-over-priest-abuse/
Fr. Raymond P. Melville worked at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Locust Point (1980 to 1984), the University of Maryland Hospital (1982 to 1983), and attended the University of Baltimore and St. Mary's Seminary (1979 to 1985). Fr. Melville’s been accused of abusing while at the seminary (as well as in Maine).
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/BaltimorePriests.htm
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_08_21_Rivera_ArchdioceseLists_Mark_Haight_5.htm
He spent much of his clerical career in Maine. Yesterday, the Maine Supreme Court ruled that a civil suit charging that the Maine Catholic hierarchy should have disclosed Fr. Melville’s crimes should be tossed out.
It’s heart-breaking every time a clergy sex abuse victim is denied his or her day in court. It’s disturbing every time a Catholic official seeks to keep clergy sex crimes hidden by exploiting legal loopholes. And it’s especially disturbing when those Catholic officials succeed.
We hope anyone who saw suspected or suffered Fr. Melville’s crimes – in Maryland or Maine – will find the courage to call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids, deter cover ups and start healing.
The Maine attorney who represents Fr. Melville’s victim is Sumner Lipman of Augusta.
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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