The
Survivors Network of
those Abused by Priests
SNAP
Press Releases
Giving Voice to Victims
Media Advisory for Thursday, December 18, 2003
10 More Accused Abusive Priests To Be Publicly
Disclosed in Northern California
In Unusual Move, Victims Name Alleged Molesters
on Web Site
One Man Just Settled His Civil Sex Abuse Lawsuit
for Seven Figure Sum
SNAP to California Bishops, " Protect Kids,
Not Abusers"
WHAT:
Holding posters naming accused child molesters, clergy sexual abuse
victims will publicly disclose the names of ten current and former
Northern California priests who have been or will soon be accused
of sexual crimes in civil lawsuits. Most, if not all, of the names
have not been publicly exposed until today.
They will also urge church leaders to:
- "come clean" now and release the names of all known
and suspected abusive priests immediately, before the December 31st
statute of limitations deadline for victims of abuse to file lawsuits.
- include those from other dioceses who are accused and worked here
temporarily.
WHEN:
Thursday, Dec. 18th, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Outside the San Francisco archdiocesan chancery office, One Peter
Yorke Way, San Francisco
WHO:
Two or three adults who were molested by clergy, including one who
recently reached a seven figure settlement with his perpetrator
and a religious order.
They are members of a local support group, SNAP (Survivors Network
of those Abused by Priests)
WHY/DETAILS:
This list of known or suspected abusive clergy is being compiled
and released publicly for the first time, and will also be posted
on SNAP's website: SNAPnetwork.org
The St. Louis chapter of SNAP recently took a simiilar step, posting
the names of nearly 30 clergy who had molested kids.
One of the participants is a Tuscon AZ man, Gene Reedy, who was
abused as a child by Christian Brother Francis Verngren, the former
principal of St. Mary's Prepatory Grammar School in Berkley in the
late 1960s. Verngren died just two weeks ago, and church officials
have admitted that he abused other children too. Neither Reedy nor
Verngren have spoken or been identified publicly before. Reedy hopes
to reach out to others who were victimized by Verngren.
The group will also quote from the Dallas Charter, enacted by all
American Catholic bishops in June 2002, which promises "openness
and transparency" regarding abuse.
Names of Priests in Northern California
Edward Noonan
St. Gertude, Stockton, CA
1944-1969
Antonio Nunoz, Stockton CA
Michael Canny
Fred Len Czyki, St. Peters of Pacifica
John Gallen
Frank Choi
Msgr. Joseph Alzugaray
Currently in ministry and assigned to St. Apollinaris Parish in
Santa Rosa Diocese
Lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, CA
Frank Espinosa
Teacher at St. Gabriel School, San Francisco in 1970s
San Francisco Bay Area
Elliot Hopper
George Crespin
May still be working
Joe Guiterrez, AKA Jessie Guiterrez
Former Christian Brother, now working as psychotherapist
Vincent Ignatius Breen
Anthony Slane
In home for old priests in Seattle, WA.
Donald Mcguire
CONTACT:
Mary Grant of Long Beach, SNAP's Western Regional Director 626 419
2930
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP's National Director 314 566 9790
cell
Terri Light of Hayward, SNAP's Bay Area Coordinator 510 517 3338
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