Clergy sex abuse victims want priest disciplined

He misuses sacrament to keep pedophile info secret

“Ignoring wrong-doing encourages more wrong-doing,” group feels

Group also wants outreach to others hurt by recently suspended minister

He faces a pending criminal investigation; Bishop should visit his former parish, SNAP says

WHAT:
Holding signs and childhood pictures at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will prod Orange County Catholic officials to
-- discipline a priest who tried to abuse the sacrament of confession to silence a parishioner who tried to discuss a predator priest, and
-- disclose whether diocesan employees have been told to use similar tactics when approached by those who want to talk about clergy sex abuse cases.

The group will also:
-- urge the diocese to do more to find victims of a Aliso Viejo music director who faces a pending criminal probe and was suspended just last month, and
-- beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by either the priest or the music minister to come forward, get help, call police, expose predators, protect others, and start recovering.

WHEN
Tuesday, November 24, 10 am

WHERE
Outside the Orange County Catholic Diocese Headquarters,
2811 East Villa Real Drive at Nohl Ranch in Orange

WHO
Two clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

WHY
Recently disclosed court records show that an Orange County priest, Fr. Michael Harvey of Sts. Simon and Jude church in Huntington Beach, tried to abruptly silence a parishioner who attempted to discuss the inappropriate behavior of a priest. The discussion was to be about Fr. Gustav R. (“Gus”) Krumm, a suspended predator priest who faces at least six allegations of child sexual abuse and admitted to “indiscretions” in the 1970s and 1980s.

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/ex-cathedra/more-proof-oc-dioceses-covenan/

SNAP feels that Bishop Tod Brown should either disclose that Harvey did NOT abuse the sacrament in this way, or discipline and publicly censure Harvey for such a blatant misuse of his ministerial role. It’s irresponsible; the group feels, to let a serious allegation of such serious wrongdoing to stand unaddressed. To ignore the accusation would also violate Brown’s pledge to be open and transparent in clergy sex cases, SNAP argues.

And last month, the diocese ousted Jonathan Kim from his post at Corpus Christi Catholic-Christian Church in Aliso Viejo because of accusations of “inappropriate conduct.” SNAP is criticizing the Diocese for the announcement made in church bulletins, which was vague and misleading. The group encourages anyone with information about Kim to report to law enforcement and to reach out to Kim’s alleged victim and other victims of sexual abuse at the parish.

The group believes Brown should personally visit the parish, and any other church facility where Kim may have worked, and strongly prod anyone with information about Kim’s alleged misdeeds to call law enforcement immediately.

CONTACT
Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP California Director (949) 322-7434
Barb Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Director (314) 503-0003