New pedophile priest lawsuit is filed

Two other clerics “made lewd comments” to boy

One priest is believed to be in a parish even now

But he was sued months ago for allegedly molesting another child

Self help group wants him suspended & wants bishop to do “outreach”

WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will disclose and discuss a new child sexual molestation and cover up lawsuit against a Kansas City Catholic priest and the diocese. It accuses
-- one priest of molesting one boy, and
-- two other priests of making lewd and sexually suggestive comments to him.

Victims will also
-- urge Kansas City’s bishop to suspend one of the clerics, who is believed to be in a parish now, and
-- beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes or misdeeds by any of the three priests to come forward.

WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 17 at 11:15 PM

WHERE:
Outside the chancery (diocesan headquarters) at 300 East 36th Street, Kansas City, MO

WHO:
Two clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a St. Louis woman who is the organization’s outreach director

WHY:
The new lawsuit charges that Msgr. Thomas J. O’Brien repeatedly exposed himself to and sexually abused an 11 year old boy and that two other priests – Fr. Thomas M. Reardon and Fr. Michael Tierney – “parroted” the advances and made lewd and inappropriate to the child.

All three clerics have been sued for molesting kids before. Reardon and O’Brien have been out of ministry for several years. Tierney, however, is believed to still be in active ministry now at Christ the King parish (8510 Wornall Rd., 816-363-4888, mtierney@ctkkcmo.org).

SNAP group wants Kansas City’s bishop to suspend him and launch a thorough, independent investigation into the allegations against Tierney. In fact, SNAP feels that by keeping Tierney in his post, KC Bishop Robert Finn is violating the US bishops’ national child sex abuse policy which mandates that “credibly accused” priests be promptly suspended.

The first suit against Tierney was filed last October. It charged that he molested a 13 year old at St. Elizabeth’s parish. It is still pending.

Reardon left the priesthood in 1989 and began work as substance abuse counselor. He and O’Brien have repeatedly been accused of molesting boys at the same time.

O’Brien retired in 2002. At that time, he worked as a chaplain at St. Joseph’s hospital. He also worked in St. Elizabeth’s, Holy Trinity, Pius X Orphanage, St. Joseph Orphan Girls Home, St. Patrick, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, St. Thomas Moore (all in Kansas City) and St. Agnes in Springfield, MO. Two years ago, he lived at 11505 Oak St. in KC MO (#101).

The victim, who is filing anonymously and won’t be at the news conference, still lives in Missouri. He is represented by KC attorney Rebecca Randles (816 931 9901, 816 510 2704 cell, rebecca@rmblawyers.com).

A photo of Tierney is available at BishopAccountability.org & on the Christ the King website. He is in his late 60s.

CONTACT
Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Coordinator 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com
David Clohessy, SNAP Executive Director 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com