OH - Ousted Cleveland predator priest passes away
An accused predator priest from the Diocese of Cleveland has just passed away. Despite promises from church officials to be “open and transparent” about accused clerics, as best as we can tell not one church official in Cleveland told parishioners or the public about the passing of Fr. Joseph Lang.
Fr. Lang was accused in 1987 of raping a young boy while he worked at St. Philomena Parish in Cleveland. He allegedly admitted his guilt when he was sent for treatment. In 2002, the Vatican permanently removed him from active ministry and sent him to “live a life of prayer and penance.” (http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news13/2007_06_14_DioceseOfCleveland_PlainDealer_David_Weber_ETC_1.htm)
Being honest about the death of a credibly accused predator priest matters for several reasons:
First, it’s comforting when victims know that their perpetrator can no longer hurt any other kids. But that doesn’t happen (or happens years later) if the predator’s death is kept secret.
Second, sometimes victims who are trapped in fear, shame and self-blame feel ‘liberated’ when their perpetrator dies. They are then more apt to speak up, get help, expose wrongdoing and start healing. But that doesn’t happen (or happens years later) if the predator’s death is kept secret.
Third, it’s important and reassuring when bishops keep their promises to be open about clergy sex crimes and cover ups. And it’s distressing – for victims, witnesses, whistleblowers and parishioners – when they do not.
During his time as a priest, Lang worked at St. Mary’s in Elyria, OH (1965-1969), St. Thomas More in Cleveland (1969-1971), St. Philomena in Cleveland (1971-1987), Christ our Savior in Prince George, BC, Canada (1991-1996), Church of the Resurrection in Fort St. John, BC, Canada (1996-2002), and Sacred Heart in Terrace, BC, Canada (2002). http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Lang_Joseph_J.htm
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.
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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
Showing 2 comments
Dear Mr. Clohessy,
For all the reasons you state, thank you for posting this aout the death of Joseph J. Lang. He obviously served as a priest for over 30 years…I pray for healing of all those he harmed.
Actually, because of pedophiles like him, it’s hard for me to continue to believe in God, the Trinity and prayer. I refuse to let the pedophiles rob me of my beliefs though. I refuse.
Sincerely,
Lani Halter
I say, remember: Matthew 18:6, Mar 9:41 and Luke 17:2 and, remember that Christ was speaking to adults, in these passages.