Group blasts St. Joe church & judge

Congregants rallied around admitted predator in court

SNAP want “outreach” about just-sentenced Protestant molester

It also urges church-goers to support pedophile “privately, not publicly”

Church is intimidating other victims and witnesses into staying silent, group feels

SNAP: Pastor should hold an public Q & A session to teach “appropriate response” to abuse

It’s our duty, self help group says, to help create “open, welcoming” climate for those in pain

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will harshly criticize
-- a local judge, for giving a little jail time to a recently-sentenced child molester, and
-- members of a local church, for “callously” rallying behind the molester in court last week.

They will try to hand deliver a letter to church officials urging them to
-- work harder to find and help others hurt by the admitted child molester, and
-- set up a public meeting about the controversial church members’ actions and about how to best respond when child sex allegations involving clergy surface.

Finally, the victims will also urge anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes the man's crimes to come forward, get help and call police.

WHEN
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 11:00 a.m.

WHERE
Outside New Life Bible Church, 3811 Pacific St. (corner of S. 38th) in St. Joseph MO (816 364 5510)

WHO
Two sex abuse victims (and supporters) who are members of a self help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY
Last week, Buchanan County Circuit Court Judge Dan Kellogg sentenced Michael J. Landy of St. Joseph to at least 120 days of shock detention for statutory sodomy in the second-degree. In October, Landy pled guilty to having molested a girl in his congregation, New Life Bible Church. SNAP feels the sentence was far too lenient.

Despite Lindy’s admission, members of Landy’s church turned out in force at his sentencing, some arguing for leniency. SNAP believes such public shows of support for an admitted child molester is wrong and reckless, intimidating others who see, suspect or suffer child sex crimes from reporting the abuse and stopping the crimes.

The group is wants the congregation to publicly apologize for its actions. SNAP is also publicly urging New Life’s leadership for a public meeting with the congregation. (Church leaders: Ron & Pat Fisher 816 667 5422.)

Some argue Landy should be forgiven. SNAP considers forgiving someone a private and often healing act. But giving a known child predator an exalted title and role and access to kids is a public and always risky act, the group says.

SNAP is deeply saddened that Landy will spend so little time behind bars. Jailing child molesters for long periods is the only proven way to protect kids from devastating harm, the group feels. At the same time, SNAP is very glad this young woman found the courage to speak up and seek justice. The organization applauds her strength and her persistence and believes her bravery will likely spare others from being hurt by Landy.

Finally, SNAP strongly suspects there are others with information about other crimes by Landy. The group urges anyone with any knowledge of his misdeeds – however slight, old or vague – to call law enforcement. The best thing that can happen now, SNAP feels, would be if other victims and witnesses stepped up, more charges were filed, and Landy was given a stronger sentence.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/when_priest_accused.htm

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 21 years and have more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2010/jan/06/former-oats-director-sentenced/?local

Contact - Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell), Adam Walker (417 496 8833), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home)