Parents are warned about recently released predator

Ex-child molesting Catholic cleric now lives in Crystal Lake

Support group & concerned Catholics will leaflet outside Mass

They urge any other victims to come forward, call police & get help

Organizations worry because pedophile is “young, cunning & charismatic”

Now defrocked, priest pleaded guilty to molesting two girls and violated his parole

WHAT
As mass-goers enter and leave church, clergy sex abuse victims and concerned Catholics will hand out fliers about a predatory ex-priest who was released from jail just last week and who now lives in the Crystal Lake area.

The leaflets will prod
---adults to keep children away from the child molester,
---parents to ask youngsters if they may have been abused by him,
---anyone who saw or suspected his crimes to call police so he might be prosecuted again, and
---Catholic officials and groups to use their websites and other resources to warn the public about him.

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 8, 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Outside St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Av. (also called Rt. 176) near Oak St. in Crystal Lake, IL

WHO
Three-four members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) and a Catholic reform group called VOTF, Voice of the Faithful

WHY
After being released last week from Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, former Rockford Diocese priest Mark Campobello is now living in Crystal Lake. He had been serving time for 16 months on a parole violation. According to the sex offender registry, he is a “compliant” sexual predator.

SNAP and VOTF members worry because they feel Campobello is a young, well-educated and shrewd predator who will likely molest again. They want Rockford Catholic parishioners and officials to spread the word about his presence in Crystal Lake and beg others with information about his crimes to call law enforcement. The groups believe it is likely Campobello will hurt other kids and might be prosecuted and jailed again if people who know of his crimes speak up.

In 2002, Campobello was arrested for molesting two girls, ages 14 and 15, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Geneva and Aurora Central Catholic High School in 1999 and 2000. Campobello pleaded guilty in 2004 and was given an eight year prison sentence (four for each girl). In 2005, he was expelled by the Vatican. His victims were awarded $2.2 million after they sued the Rockford Diocese. After 3 ½ years, Campobello was put on parole, which he violated twice.

Campobello had lived in Crystal Lake after being granted parole in 2008 and after serving time on a parole violate.

Campobello was ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Rockford in 1991 and worked at Holy Family and St. Peter parishes in Rockford, St. James in Belvidere and St. Thomas in Crystal Lake.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=397787
http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2010/07/29/r_5bq2uhjmrxmhpzkq3s0zg/index.xml
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=397018
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x98872516/Former-priest-to-be-released-from-prison-July-28

The group will leaflet people leaving the 10:30 Mass and those coming for the noon Mass.

CONTACT
David Clohessy (314-566-9790), SNAPclohessy@aol.com
Therese Albrecht (708-263-3050)
Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747)
Sandra Stilling Seehausen (847-462-0016)