CA- Almost 3 dozen victims come forward in Stockton

For immediate release: Tuesday, Sept. 16 2014

Statement by Tim Lennon of San Francisco, Bay Area Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (415-312-5820, [email protected])

Stockton Catholic officials disclosed today that 34 victims of predator priests have come forward in recent months. We suspect this number – 34 victims of Stockton predator clergy - is a drop in the bucket. The real total, we believe, is much higher.

Our hearts ache for all of these victims, especially those who were not able to come forward by the Stockton bishop's callous and arbitrary deadline.

Even predator priests who are “not in active ministry” are still dangerous, which is why it is crucial that Stockton's bishop lets parishioners, police and the public know who and where they are.

A judge required Stockton Catholic officials to do “extensive outreach.” How could the Stockton diocese brag about this same “extensive outreach” if they were compelled to do it by the court?

Stockton church officials claim that a court order means “all information about these claims is confidential.” That does not, however, prevent Stockton Bishop Blaire from publicly disclosing the names, whereabouts and work histories of the proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics. Stockton's bishop should do this, for the protection of the vulnerable and the healing of the wounded.

We note that the Diocese is not interested in “resolving outstanding claims as fairly as possible.” It's interested in avoiding embarrassing child sex abuse and cover up trials. Church officials are interested in avoiding depositions at which they and other church officials will face tough questions on why they acted recklessly, deceitfully and callously with clergy sex predators.

The high church officials are interested in focusing public attention on those who commit child sex crimes, not on those church officials who conceal them. These officials are interested in protecting the careers and reputations of past and current officials.  Their actions are not focused on the healing of the wounded and the protection of the vulnerable. And they’re interested in focusing on money, not corruption.

Finally, at a bare minimum, Stockton church officials should disclose how many of the 34 complaints of sexual abuse involve priests who have not yet been publicly identified as abusers.  All US bishops have repeatedly pledged to be “transparent” about clergy sex crimes. Few bishops honor this pledge. But it's the least Catholic officials can do to help prevent future child sex crimes and cover ups.

We beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Stockton – regardless of whether the wrongdoers are deceased or alive, diocesan or religious order, still in the area or elsewhere – to speak up, get help, contact the police and appropriate secular authorities. We need to work together to protect kids and help those who have been harmed on to a healing path.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 25 years and have more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, [email protected])