CA - Judge rules against predator priest, SNAP responds

July 03, 2013

For immediate release: Wednesday, July 3

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])

We are grateful that a judge ruled today against a predator priest who claimed his abuse admission should not be heard as evidence in a criminal case.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Eugene L. Balonon today rejected a motion by Fr. Uriel Ojeda that Ojeda’s acknowledgement of heinous crimes should be kept from jurors.

Time and time again, child molesting clerics admit their crimes to colleagues or police, then later claim they were coerced or that their admissions should be kept secret. Time and time again, Catholic officials abuse the ‘priest-penitent privilege’ to hide their hurtful deeds.

We are glad this judge didn’t buy the spurious claim that Fr. Ojeda expected his admission of child sex crimes should be kept private.

Still, no one should be complacent. Complacency protects no one. Only vigilance and courage protects kids.

So anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Fr. Ojeda’s crimes must speak up. Every single person who has knowledge or suspicions of Fr. Ojeda’s misdeeds has a moral and civic duty to call police and prosecutors today, so that he might be convicted and children might be safeguarded.

Showing 3 comments

Ray Goto commented 2013-07-04 23:02:21 -0500
There is something that you can do. You know that the Bishops created a national review board, but did not allow this group to meet with parishers at their church. I’m involved with a TV network that wants to do something about this obstruction of justice. They think change can occur, but on a church by church basis. They are recruiting Cathoics to go to their individual church to lobby for real change. ChangeTVNetwork intends to use tv technology to put all of the diverse churchs groups together. You can become involved too. Here is their website. They are just organizing the group that will produce the show on Catholic Abuse/Laity Review Board? Check it out: www.changetvnetwork.com.
Judy Anguella commented 2013-07-04 13:13:32 -0500
Bonnie Richard, I am so sorry to hear that you were laughed at. I can relate. No one from the Catholic Church ever believed that I was hurt in any way.
Bonnie Richard commented 2013-07-03 17:16:12 -0500
DAVID—I THANK YOU AND BARBARA— FOR YOUR KIND THINGS YOU DID TO HELP VICTIMS— NO ONE ELSE IS DOING SO—THIS I SAY NOT BECAUSE I DISLIKE THE ABUSER WHO ABUSED ME IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL-BUT BECAUSE I KNOW IT———********************************************************’THE CHURCH AUTHROTIES AND OFFICALS ‘LAUGH;’‘’ AT THE VICTIM THIS I KNOW NOT BECAUSE I DONT LIKE THEM-BUT BECAUSE I SAW IT FOR 100% proof===THEY LAUGH AT US—-WHEN WE TURN OUR BACK— now—this occured—49 years ’AFTER’ *********************** MY ABUSE—

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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.

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Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.

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