A third Catholic principal is alleged abuser

He faces no legal action & hasn’t been publicly accused before

In a sworn recent deposition, victim says priest admitted crime

SNAP to church officials: “Protect kids and suspend the cleric now”

WHAT
Holding photos of children who were molested and hand-made signs at a sidewalk news conference, advocates for clergy sex abuse victims will
--- disclose that an alleged child sexual abuse victim divulged in a sworn deposition that a priest admitted that he had sexually abused a boy, and
--- prod Catholic officials to suspend the cleric from active ministry pending a thorough investigation.

They will also urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered misdeeds or crimes by the priest to come forward, call police, protect children, get help, and start healing.

WHEN
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE
Outside Salesianum High School (302 654 2495), 1801 N. Broom St. in Wilmington DE

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

WHY
In a sworn deposition on July 16 of this year, an alleged clergy sex abuse victim (identified as John Doe) reported that Fr. William McCandless admitted that he abused a 14 year old French boy attending a church camp. McCandless was principal of Salesianum High School until June of this year, which is run by a Wilmington DE-based Catholic religious order known as the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.

SNAP believes that since this disclosure was made during a sworn deposition, church officials should take it seriously, publicly announce the allegation, and suspend McCandless while an investigation is conducted.

Two of McCandless’ predecessors at the school have been accused of molesting children.

The anonymous victim was being questioned by church defense lawyer Colleen Shields of Wilmington (302 428 3181) in connection with his own civil child sex abuse case against the Oblates. Doe’s suit says he was abused by former Salesianum principal Fr. Richard N. Grant in the 1980s. The other accused former Salesianum principal is Fr. James W. O'Neill.

Grant is deceased. O’Neill is believed to be living at a church facility in Childs MD.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2009/05_06/2009_05_18_Miller_DelMan.htm

The victim is represented by attorney Michael Reck715 742 6593 (MReck@manlystewart.com) and Bart Dalton 302 652 2050.

CONTACT
Judy Miller 302 234 1519, snapdelaware@yahoo.com, Sr. Maureen Turlish 610 212 2770, David Clohessy 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com