Clergy sex victims blast bishop

• Clergy sex victims blast bishop
• Allegations vs. just-ousted priest had surfaced years ago
• But no one was warned, SNAP contends, so kids were at risk
• And local Catholic officials deceived the public, self help group says
• SNAP also wants Jeff City diocese to move cleric from his Jeff City parish
• Victims say prelate should “come clean” & admit that accused priest had child porn

WHAT:

Holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will disclose that, three years ago, a Missouri man told Jeff City Catholic officials of his concerns about possible sexual misdeeds by a recently-suspended Columbia Catholic priest and that church staffers have been wrong to conceal his report.

They will also blast the Jeff City Catholic diocese PR man for claiming that there have been “no other incidents” about the cleric, and urge the bishop to

--seek out anyone else who may have seen, suspected, or suffered the priest’s crimes, and

--stop him from continuing to live at his Jeff City parish, and

--put him in an independent treatment/evaluation center, so that kids will be safer.

WHEN:

Thursday, Dec. 15 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Outside Immaculate Conception parish, 1206 East McCarty (corner of Benton), Jefferson City (573 635 6143)http://www.icangels.com/staff.htm 

WHO:

Two-three child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) 

WHY:

Recently a Columbia priest – Fr. Brendan Doyle - was suspended after “inappropriate photos” were found on his computer at a school. The computer was turned over to law enforcement, which leads SNAP to conclude the pictures were sexually explicit and potentially illegal pictures of alleged minors.

Jeff City Catholic officials claim there have been no previous reports of suspicious behavior by Doyle. However, SNAP has learned that in 2008, a Missouri man reported – at least four times - to church and police officials that Doyle was acting suspiciously and inappropriately around boys. That man has written a typed, two page notarized statement that SNAP will provide to police and the public today (and post on its website).

The man reported his concerns with the Helias athletic director and a diocesan official. He also called the local law enforcement and the FBI. (At his/her request, SNAP will not disclose his name.)

Catholic officials have repeated pledged to be “open and transparent” about potential clergy sex crimes. But SNAP maintains that they’re being deceitful and breaking their promise.

The group also wants Doyle removed from his Jeff City parish, where he reportedly still lives, and sent to a remote, secure, independent treatment facility for evaluation.

The diocese is even refusing to say which law enforcement agency it allegedly gave Doyle’s computer to which, SNAP says, makes it harder for any victim, witness or whistleblower to know who to call if they have potentially helpful information.

Doyle works both at Helias High School in Columbia and at Immaculate Conception parish,1206 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 (573 635 6143) http://www.icangels.com/staff.htm 

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/nov/30/helias-priest-put-leave/#c22441

http://www.komu.com/news/jefferson-city-priest-reportedly-under-investigation/ 

Independent researchers at BishopAccountabilty.org list 14 publicly accused child molesting clerics:http://bishop-accountability.org/member/psearch.jsp

CONTACT 

David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Amy Surdin 573 489 1025, Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, [email protected], Mike Hunter 913 634 6490