SNAP to leaflet SLU students about new $2 million settlement

For the first time, admitted predator’s ties to school are disclosed

This makes the 7th pedophile priest associated with the university

Two admitted sex offenders apparently live & work on campus now

Virtually all of them have been 'outed' by SNAP, none by SLU or archdiocese

WHAT
After a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out leaflets to students about
--- an ex-SLU student & priest against whom a $2 million abuse settlement was paid last week, and
--- six other clerics proven, admitted or credibly accused sex offenders who are or were associated with the university

The victims will also
--- urge anyone who suffered, saw or suspected clergy sex crimes or misdeeds at SLU to call police, and
--- prod university and church officials to use their resource to reach out to anyone who saw, suspected or suffered his crimes and/or misdeeds

WHEN
TODAY, Tuesday, March 3, 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the Busch Student Center on Grand just south of Lindell in St. Louis

WHO
Several men and women who were victimized by clergy and belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

VISUALS
The group will have news stories, legal documents, and photos of some of the predators.

WHY
Last week, SNAP learned that in the 1990s, a priest was accused of making lewd gestures and watching kids undress in the locker room of the SLU swimming pool and gym. http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=36058 A child molestation lawsuit against the alleged predator, Fr. Juan Carlos Duran, for different crimes in Memphis settled days ago for $2 million. Tennessee church officials say he admitted molesting at least one child there. Duran is now a fugitive from the law.

Two weeks ago, SNAP disclosed that another predator who worked at SLU, Fr. Charles H. Miller, was “credibly accused” of “sexual misconduct” against a St. Louis teenager. Miller had never been publicly exposed as a molester before.

Three other predators now live at Jesuit Hall (Lindell & Grand): Fr. Vincent W. Bryce (256 8809), Fr. Chester E. Gaiter and Fr. Gerhardt B. Lehmkuhl (658-2687). Bryce is a librarian at the Aquinas Institute (23 S. Spring at Forest Park Pkwy), Lehmkuhl’s is the Jesuit’s “plant manager,” and Gaiter is apparently retired.

According to news accounts, Bryce admitted that he molested a child and was suspended from his parish in 2002. Lehmkuhl pled guilty to child porn in 1996 and was sentenced to one year in prison. Gaiter has been sued at least twice for child sexual abuse and one of those suits was settled.

Several months ago, SNAP learned that a civil molestation case against another ex-SLU pedophile priest, Fr. Eugene Maio, was settled for a six figure amount in California. Like Duran, Maio has never been publicly named in the St. Louis area as an accused predator.

Another former SLU staffer, Fr. Jack Campbell, faces at least 13 accusers who have been paidover $575,000 in settlements.

For the sake of public safety, SAP believes that university officials should disclose the names and whereabouts of all current and former staff who've been accused of molesting kids. The group feels SLU has a particular duty to reach out to anyone hurt by Duran, since his crimes were recent, he's wanted by law enforcement, and he's left the country.

CONTACT:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566 9790 cell
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Director (314) 503 0003 cell
Linda Briggs-Harty cell (314) 610 2362 cell