For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 22, 2010

Abuse victims blast Orange County Catholic Diocese

New head of Catholic schools comes from “troubled institution”

Leaders of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (www.snapnetwork.org) are harshly criticizing the Orange County Catholic diocese for naming a long time official from Mater Dei High School as its superintendent of schools.

Gregory Dhuyvetter has been tapped to head OC parochial schools by Bishop Tod Brown. He has been at Mater Dei since 1982. A number of school employees – including Thomas Hodgman, Robert Richardson, jeff Andrade and Larry Stukenholtz – were accused of molesting kids during those years.

"It’s literally inconceivable that Dhuyvetter knew nothing about these proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesters on staff there during his long tenure at Mater Dei," said Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, CA, SNAP Southwest Regional Director. “And he’s obviously stayed silent as church and school officials have acted recklessly and deceitfully even after allegations against these men surfaced publicly.”

“As long as Catholic officials keep promoting those who ignore or conceal child sex crimes, we'll keep seeing child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic schools, parishes and other institutions,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis, MO. He’s SNAP’s National Director.

Clohessy cited the example of Jeff Andrade, who was ousted because of credible abuse allegations, yet came back to campus despite being told to stay away by his superiors.

“A suspended predator, Andrade, broke the rules and repeatedly returned to campus, putting kids in harm’s way,” he said. “But there’s no evidence whatsoever that Dhuyvetter even once expressed any doubt or criticism of this recklessness.”

“There's just one potential silver lining here,” Clohessy said. “Maybe this egregious injustice will prompt one more victim, witness or whistleblower to find some courage, pick up the phone, call law enforcement, expose another predator, and protect one more child.

Most of the victims from Mater Dei are represented by Newport Beach attorney John Manly of Manly Stewart.

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/ex-cathedra/mater-dei-assistant-principal/

Contact:
Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, CA, SW Regional Director, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests): 949-322-7434 - jcasteix@gmail.com
David Clohessy of St. Louis, MO, National Director, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests): 314-566-9790
Barb Dorris of St. Louis, MO, Outreach Director, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests): 314-503-0003