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New Cincinnati archbishop faced past child abuse claim that authorities deemed 'unfounded'

New Archbishop of Cincinnati Bishop Robert G. Casey speaks at a press conference, Wednesday at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati. Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer Cincinnati.com/The Enquirer February 12, 2025 By Dan Horn   A few hours after his introduction as Cincinnati's new archbishop, Robert G. Casey answered a question about his past that he said he knew was coming. He confirmed that in 2008 he faced an allegation of misconduct with a child, which authorities later determined to be "unfounded." The accusation, made while he was a parish priest in Chicago, was investigated by both local authorities and church officials. In response to a question from The Enquirer, Casey said in a statement that the claim was a false accusation, but he said he recognized that concerns about it may follow him to his new post in Cincinnati, where he will lead more than 400,000 Catholics.

New Jersey Catholic Cardinal launches new probe of Seton Hall; SNAP calls it “unnecessary”

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2025  Cardinal Joseph Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark said on Monday that he had hired a law firm to conduct a “comprehensive third-party review” of a 2019 investigation into sexual abuse at Seton Hall University. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, calls the new investigation unnecessary. The group believes that it is nothing more than a tactic to delay the resolution of the issue of Monsignor Joseph Reilly’s appointment as President of Seton Hall. SNAP spoke out against the Monsignor’s appointment at the time, and asked for complete transparency. We still believe that this is the best way to resolve the controversy. Although Monsignor Reilly was not himself accused of abuse, the 2019 investigation found that he knew about accusations of abuse on campus and did not report them as required. In reaction to the probe's findings, a "Responsive Action Plan" was developed, and a special task force was formed to carry out disciplinary actions. The task force recommended the Monsignor's removal from Seton Hall boards and leadership. The priest left the Board of Trustees and then stepped down as dean of the seminary. Less than three years after Monsignor Reilly was quietly sidelined, he was restored to active service, culminating in his elevation to the powerful position of University president. New Jersey SNAP Leader, Mark Crawford wonders, “Why would we need an investigation of the original investigation?  Why would anyone believe this isn’t a cover up of the cover up?  Cardinal Tobin simply needs to release the original report to the public. Who would trust a report on the report?”

Abuse group seeks NFL probe of New Orleans Saints

Victims upset that the franchise helped Catholic officials They charge that the Saints' conduct was detrimental to survivors The nation's leading support group for clergy sexual abuse victims says that top officials with the New Orleans Saints flaunted National Football League (NFL) goals by working with Catholic officials to hide predators, thus endangering children and further wounding abuse victims. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) wants the NFL to open an investigation into the Saint's actions. The Saints are accused of colluding with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to modify the Archbishop’s list of abusers, pressure elected officials to turn a blind eye to the scandal, and to influence public opinion by putting pressure on media outlets to curtail their coverage. Drawn into this web of deceit are judges, lawyers and the ultra-rich. SNAP issued an earlier statement on the recent revelations about the disturbing involvement of the Saints in the Archdiocesan crisis. Louisiana SNAP leader, Letitia Peyton, says in response to the news coverage, "The New Orleans Saints, the Catholic Church, and every institution wielding influence over our communities must do more than protect their own reputations. Prioritizing PR over survivors perpetuates harm." In contrast, in response to the same media reports, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, called the New Orleans Saints a "great corporate citizen."

New report says 17 accused abusers are/were at IHOP; SNAP responds

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2025    According to a new report, at least 17 former or current staff members at the Kansas City-based International House of Prayer (IHOP) including founder Mike Bickle, are accused of sexual crimes and misdeeds. For the safety of the public, we hope that the additional 16 names are soon made public as well. We also hope that a similar investigation into accusations at an orphanage run by a Union MO-based non-profit, Ninos de Mexico, due out later this year, will be even more thorough and detailed than the IHOP probe. The scathing report on IHOP describes “a longstanding culture of systemic abuse and cover-up” within the community that apparently goes much deeper than just the wrongdoing of a few officials at the top. We hope that law enforcement officials, in Missouri and elsewhere, will digest and circulate the information in this report. We hope they will use every means possible to beg others with knowledge or suspicions of similar crimes and cover-ups to come forward, so that at least a few of these accused abusers may face justice in court. We also applaud the courage of Deborah Perkins, Tammy Woods, Terry Hartley, the Jane and John Does, and each person who found the strength and courage to report the horrors they endured. Society owes them a debt of gratitude and they deserve to be praised and thanked for their bravery and compassion. We also hope that a similar investigation into accusations of crimes at an orphanage run by the Union MO-based Ninos de Mexico, due out later this year, will be even more thorough and detailed than the IHOP probe.

SNAP Press Event in Houma on Thursday

Victims charge Houma Catholic church is ‘reckless’ on abuse Group says diocese ‘is still hiding at least 4 local perpetrators’ Other dioceses post their names & say the allegations are ‘credible’ SNAP: “But Houma officials refuse, leaving kids at risk & victims wounded” Support group also alerts child victims to an unusual new legal opportunity New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue ‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ survivors say WHAT Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will --write on a sidewalk the names of four publicly accused clerics who are or were in the Houma-Thibodaux diocese but are largely ‘under the radar’ and are still being hidden by local church officials, and ---urge anyone “with information or suspicions about known or possible abusers” to call police, not church staff, contact SNAP and “protect others and start healing.” They will also urge Catholics to join with them in spreading awareness of an “unusual and ground-breaking child safety law” that “enables virtually any child sex abuse victim to sue, no matter how long ago the crime happened, so that the truth will be known about every bishop, priest, brother, nun, seminarian, or layperson who hurt kids.” WHEN Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11:15 a.m. WHERE On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. Francis, 500 Goode St. in Houma (985-876-6904) WHO Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director

SNAP Press Event in Baton Rouge on Wednesday

Abuse victims blast Baton Rouge bishop He’s hiding at least three ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests Other church officials say allegations against the men are ‘credible’ SNAP: “If church officials are hiding them, what else might they be hiding?” Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue ‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say WHAT Using sidewalk chalk, while holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will write on a sidewalk the names of three publicly accused child molesting clerics who are NOT on the Baton Rouge Catholic bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list and thus remain largely ‘under the radar.’ They will also urge  ---Catholics and others to “spread the word” about an unusual new Louisiana law that will make kids safer by enabling victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue those who committed or concealed the crimes - no matter how long ago they were violated, and ---those with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible perpetrators to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP. WHEN Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 2 PM WHERE On the sidewalk outside St. Joseph Cathedral, 401 Main Street (corner of 4th) in Baton Rouge WHO Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director

SNAP Press Event in Lafayette on Wednesday

New perpetrator priest lawsuit is filed Victims also blast local bishop over ‘continued secrecy’ SNAP: He’s hiding at least 3 ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests They’re still alive, so they may still be a threat to kids, group says Other church officials say charges against them are substantiated But their names are NOT on the official Lafayette diocese list Victims also urge greater awareness of new state child molestation law WHAT Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, abuse victims will announce and discuss a new child sexual abuse and cover up lawsuit against ‘the most notorious child molesting’ cleric in Louisiana history. Using chalk, they will also write on a sidewalk the names of several publicly accused pedophile priests who have spent time in the Lafayette area but are NOT on the Lafayette bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list. And they will also “urge anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered ANY other known or possible abuse to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP. WHEN Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 11:00 a.m. (NOTE: The group will hold a similar event in Baton Rouge later the same day, Wednesday, October 9 at 2 p.m.) WHERE On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the address for the Cathedral is 914 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA, press conference will be at 515 Cathedral. Call if you can't locate them: David, 314-566-9790 (Cathedral phone: 337-232-1322) WHO Two child sexual abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director

Take Action and Stop Child Sexual Abuse

If you see child sexual abuse, or have a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse or your child has been sexually abused, call 911 or your local police immediately. 

If you suspect abuse, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit the Child Help Hotline. Trained crisis operators staff the lines 24/7 to answer your questions. If necessary, they will show you how to report in your local area.

Child pornography is a federal crime. If you see or suspect images that may be child pornography, report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTip Line

 

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