Letter to St. Louis Parishioners

September 5, 2004

Dear St. Louis Catholic:

In January of 2001, I learned one of the most horrible things a parent can learn: that my precious son was repeatedly, sadistically, sexually abused by a trusted Catholic priest. Since then, our family has endured a nightmare. And the nightmare continues.

Today, my son and I need your help.

This priest, Father Mark Roberts, has just moved a few miles from my son and me. He is staying at a little-known center in Jefferson County that houses dozens of abusive priests.

Rather than jail time, Fr. Roberts was given probation. Rather than going to an secure, professionally-run treatment center, Fr. Roberts is at an unsecure place run by his fellow priests. Despite having pled guilty to molesting at least five boys, my son's molester is in a "country club" setting, where he can come and go, with no guards, no locked gate, no high fencing, no monitoring device (like an electronic ankle bracelet); none of the safeguards placed on most convicted serial child molesters.

Fr. Roberts is a human being too, made in the image of God and deserving of our sympathy. I don't want to see him vilified or hurt. But by the same token, I can't just watch my already wounded boy suffer again and again and again, as he worries about his safety and the safety of other youngsters.

Please help protect my son and other kids. Please help my boy heal. Here's what you can do:

- Call Archbishop Raymond Burke (533 1887). Urge him to show true concern for other vulnerable kids in this area and true compassion for my son, by insisting that Fr. Roberts be sent elsewhere.

- Call Father Bertin Miller (636-285-7304, 636-274-1733), who heads the center where Fr. Roberts now lives. Ask him to move Fr. Roberts elsewhere.

- Call Governor Bob Holden (573 -751-3222, 314-340-6900 ). Urge him to show leadership and courage by publicly denouncing this move. Urge him to contact Nevada's governor and insist that Fr. Roberts be moved.

Finally, I ask you to consider: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

I believe he would not sit idly while, in his name, such injustice was visited upon a young, wounded sexual abuse victim and his family.

The last few years have been very difficult for my son and for all of us who love him. He's now in school, has a job, and has worked very hard to rebuild his once-shattered life. Thank you.

Garey
636 399 4222

P.S. My son and I share the same name. That's why I'm using only my first name.

P.P.S. To learn more about this situation, call me or call SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, at 314 566 9790

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SNAP MEDIA ADVISORY:

Father of Young Sex Abuse Victim To Leaflet Cathedral

Convicted Nevada Priest "Sneaks Into" Church-Run Facility Here

Molester Now Lives In Unsecure Center Near His 21 Year Old Victim

Missouri Corrections Dept. Had Previously Rejected The Cleric

SNAP Asks Archbishop To Remove Admitted Molester

WHAT:
As mass ends, an angry father of a 21 year old abuse victim will hand out an emotional letter asking parishioners for their help. He is upset his son’s molester has just been transferred to a church-run center near where the victim now lives. They want Archbishop Raymond Burke and Governor Bob Holden to move the convicted priest out of Missouri.

WHEN:
Sunday, Sept. 5, 10:40 a.m. (NOTE: Archbishop Burke will be saying the mass)

WHERE:
Outside the Catholic Cathedral, 440 block of Lindell near Taylor in the Central West End

WHO:
A Jefferson County abuse victim's father, and several victims of clergy sexual abuse who are members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a support group

WHY:
On Friday, a 21 year old man who was sexually abused by a priest publicly blasted officials for allowing his molester to live at a church-run "treatment center" just a few miles from where the young victim now lives. Several SNAP members delivered a letter to Archbishop Raymond Burke's office, asking Burke to order the center to remove the priest.

In December 2003, Father Mark Roberts of Henderson NV pled guilty to sexually abusing five boys. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and avoid children as part of his three year sentence of probation. Las Vegas Judge Donald Mosley initially allowed Roberts live at a church-run "treatment center" in Jefferson County Missouri. But one of Robert's victims lives just a few miles away, so after a public outcry, Missouri officials refused to accept Roberts.

A week ago however, the judge quietly reversed himself, took the Roberts off formal probation, sent him to that same Missouri center, and now claims he will personally oversee Roberts.

The young man and SNAP are also concerned because the center is not a secure facility. Many area residents are not even aware that convicted priests pedophiles were being housed nearby under the supervision of other priests, SNAP claims.

They are also writing Governor Bob Holden, asking him to investigate the Judge's action and do what he can to get Roberts out of Missouri.

CONTACT:
David Clohessy of SNAP, National Director (314) 566 9790 cell, (314) 645 5915 home

Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Coordinator (314) 862-7688

Tom Bara of Las Vegas, SNAP Nevada Director (702) 461-