Belleville Diocese Priest Removed from Ministry, SNAP Calls for Outreach
A priest from suburban St. Louis has been removed from ministry following an allegation of “inappropriate conduct” with a minor. We call on Catholic officials to use every resource at their disposal to share this news throughout the diocese and encourage other victims and witnesses to come forward and make a report.
According to Belleville diocesan leaders, Rev. Anthony Onyango was removed from ministry last week after the diocese was contacted regarding the unspecified “inappropriate conduct.” The allegation reportedly involved a minor from one of the two parishes – St. Bernard Parish in Albers or St. Damian parish in Damiansville – at which Rev. Onyango worked.
Catholic officials must now use parish bulletins, websites, and pulpit announcements to ensure parents and parishioners are informed of the allegations. Bishop Michael McGovern should personally visit the churches where Rev. Onyango worked, urging those with knowledge or suspicions to make a report to police and find healing.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reportedly continuing the investigation into clergy abuse that was begun by his predecessor, Lisa Madigan. We hope that Belleville diocesan leaders also notified the attorney general’s office of the allegations against Rev. Onyango. We encourage anyone who may have been hurt Rev. Onyango or by any other clergy from the diocese to make a report by calling the Clergy Abuse Hotline at 1-888-414-7678 or by emailing [email protected].
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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