Accused deacon is suspended but bishop remains secretive

For immediate release: August 7, 2024

Dozens of Missouri clerics were sued for child sexual abuse last month. But, apparently Bishop James V. Johnston did not ask a single staffer to see if any of those clerics are or were in his diocese. That seems astonishingly irresponsible to us. Yet it is sadly very typical of the callous and reckless way he and so many other Catholic officials treat serious reports of horrific crimes.

Even now, in his vague, terse announcement that Deacon Ralph Wehner has been suspended, Bishop Johnston refuses to clearly admit that this is the same man who reportedly molested a St. Louis boy at least three times.

Kansas City Catholics, especially those at Good Counsel Parish (where Deacon Wehner's been working) should be outraged. They should carefully ask their kids if the deacon ever did or said anything that made them uncomfortable, and report any suspicions or knowledge of wrongdoing- however slight - to law enforcement immediately.

CONTACT: David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Director ([email protected], 267-261-0578), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814- 341-8386) 

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)