AZ--Three Arizona predator priests ‘outed’ elsewhere

Victims want action on abuse

Three Arizona predator priests ‘outed’ elsewhere

All of them worked/lived in the Tucson Catholic diocese

But allegations against them have attracted little/no attention here

Group prods Catholic staff to “reach out to others still trapped in pain ”

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will

--disclose names and key information about three predator priests who worked in the Tucson Diocese, abused kids and were “outed” elsewhere but have gotten little – or no - attention in the local media,

– or no - attention in the local media,

--prod church officials to add the names, photos and whereabouts of these clerics on the diocese’s list of “credibly accused clerics,” and
https://www.diocesetucson.org/our-call-to-protect/credibly-accused.html

WHEN 

Wednesday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE

Outside the Tucson Catholic Diocese headquarters, 111 South Church Avenue (between West Broadway Boulevard and West Jackson Street) in Tucson

WHO

Three-four members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) including a Missouri woman who is the organization's long time outreach director

WHY

SNAP has discovered three proven, admitted or credibly accused predator priests who assaulted kids elsewhere also spent time in the Tucson diocese. Although the allegations against these men generated mainstream media coverage in other states, the clerics remain largely “under the radar” locally.

SNAP wants Tucson Catholic officials to warn the public about these clerics and aggressively seek out anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered their crimes.

The three “under the radar” predator priests who worked spent time in Tucson are: Father Louis Wayne Ladenburger, Father Francis W. Callan and Father Robert Bruce Thompson.  

Fr. Ladenburger was criminally convicted. Fr. Callan was identified by the Jesuit Province of Oregon as a credibly accused abuser. Fr. Thompson was sued although the case was dismissed on the grounds it was beyond the statute of limitations.

Additional information about all of these men, as well as a photo of Fr. Ladenburger, is available at BishopAccountability.org.

SNAP wants Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas (520-838-2500) to “aggressively reach out” to anyone who may have been abused by any current or former Tucson area church employee - especially Fr. Callan, Fr. Ladenburger or Fr. Thompson – and beg them to call police and prosecutors and other independent sources of help.

The group fears that “there may be more victims who are suffering in shame and silence.”

Parish bulletins, church websites and pulpit announcements.

“We’re concerned because, based on our experience, these men will likely have more victims right here in Arizona,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “Predators rarely hurt just one child. Church officials have a moral duty to reach out to anyone who may be hurting.”

The survivors’ group also wants church officials to use all the means at their disposal— pulpit announcements, church bulletins and parish websites, and diocesan or order publications—to reach out to Catholics who may have been abused.

SNAP also wants to encourage anyone who experienced, witnessed or suspected abuse by these clergymen to come forward and share what they know or suspect

“Everyone can help make kids safer by reporting to police if they know anything about these men abusing local children. Please, even if you didn’t come forward at the time, say something now!” pleaded Barbara Dorris, also of SNAP.

In June 2002, the Tucson Diocese became the first diocese to list the names of credibly accused clerics on its website. While SNAP commends the diocese for this move, the group notes that these three priests are not listed on the diocesan website. SNAP is urging Bishop Kicanis to add the names, photos and work histories of these predatory clerics to its list of “credibly accused clerics.”

https://www.diocesetucson.org/our-call-to-protect/credibly-accused.html

CONTACT

Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003, [email protected]), David Clohessy (314-566-9790, [email protected])