OR--Victims want accused predator suspended

Victims want accused predator suspended

Almost 3 weeks ago, he was sued for abuse

Alleged crimes took place for over a decade

But church is apparently keeping priest on the job

Two other child molesting clerics worked at same parish

SNAP: “He’s crossed the river & now deals with alcoholics

Group urges Catholic officials to “reach out to other victims”

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will

--disclose that a recently-sued alleged predator priest remains on the job,

--prod Catholic officials to suspend him and “seek out other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers,” and

--beg anyone who may have “seen, suspected or suffered his crimes” to “protect kids by calling police.”

WHEN

Friday, March 18, 1:15 p.m.

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside Holy Rosary Church, 375 NE Clackamas Street (503-235-3163) in Portland

WHO

Three-four clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including a Missouri man who is the organization’s long time director

WHY

Almost three weeks ago, a Catholic priest was sued for alleged child sexual abuse. Yet, as best SNAP can tell, remains on the job today, much to the dismay of the victims’ group. They want him put in a remote, secure treatment center and want bishops in Oregon and Washington to warn the public about him and reach out to anyone else he may have hurt.

http://katu.com/news/local/lawsuit-claims-priest-sexually-abused-portland-boy 

http://roggendorf-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/complaint-copy.pdf

Fr. Emmerich Vogt is accused of fondled a boy’s genitals roughly ten times, kissing him on the mouth at least 50 times and engaging him in hundreds of graphic, sexualized discussions on pornography and masturbation. The abuse started in 1985 when the boy was an eight year old altar boy at Holy Rosary Church.

SNAP is worried, however, because Fr. Vogt has been allowed to cross the border into Washington and now apparently heads “The 12-Step Review” in Vancouver. It’s a program that works with alcoholics and drug addicts.

“Fr. Vogt should have been suspended and should be moved into a professionally-run, independent treatment center so he can get help and so that kids can be safe,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “For decades, Catholic officials have claimed that the days of quietly moving predator priests somewhere else are over. But apparently, they’re keeping Fr. Vogt on the job around very vulnerable people – alcoholics and addicts. That’s wrong and reckless.”

Also named as a defendant in the suit are his supervisors, the Oakland California-based Province of the Holy Name of the Dominicans (510-658-8722,http://opwest.org/), headed by Fr. Mark Padrez.

At least two other predator priests, both Dominicans, also worked at Holy Rosary.

---Fr. Edmund K. Ryan, who was accused of abusing a child in Eugene, Oregon. The Dominicans acknowledged the allegation was credible and removed Fr, Ryan from public ministry. He also worked in the Oakland Diocese.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/03_04/2008_04_01_ContraCostaTimes_AccusedClerics.htm#ryan

---Fr. Leo Donald Tubbs, who is accused of having molested a 15 year-old boy in 1985. (He was one of seven Dominicans secretly being housed at a church building in Oakland as exposed by news media in 2005). Tubbs was "put on lockdown" by his order in 2004, after he traveled alone to Bangkok without permission, and because of boundary violations with adults.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Tubbs_Leo_Donald_OP.htm”

During the years “Smith” was at Holy Rosary, several other priests worked at the parish, including a Fr. Anderson, Fr. Banfield and Fr. Patalano, according to the lawsuit.

The 12 page complaint, alleging battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, was filed on 2/24 in Multnomah County and seeks at least $100,000 in damages. The alleged victim, now 39, is identified in his suit by a pseudonym, “David Smith.”

The victim is represented by Portland attorney Kristian Roggendorf (503-730-2573, 503-726-5927, [email protected]). John Kaempf, (503-295-7755) also a Portland lawyer, is defending Fr. Vogt.

Fr. Vogt’s email is [email protected], his phone is 510-596-1800 and his website is http://12-step-review.org/about/index.html

He was ordained in 1978.

CONTACT       

David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Bill Crane 503-836-2152, [email protected]