IA--Predator priest “outed” for first time
He worked at three Iowa Catholic parishes
He’s a “credibly accused child molester,” church admits
Long secret records about him were just released last week
More hidden documents will be disclosed in the months ahead
A Catholic priest who worked in the Des Moines Catholic diocese has been publicly identified for the first time as a “credibly accused” child molester and a victims group wants local church officials to “aggressively seek out and help” others who may have been hurt by him.
He is Fr. Paul Kabat. According to the Official Catholic Directory, he worked in three Iowa towns: Milo (from 1995 to 1998), Council Bluffs (1992 to 1995) and Logan (from 1985 to 1992).
“It’s very likely others who were hurt by Fr. Kabat are still suffering in shame, silence and self-blame,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis. He heads an international support group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “Des Moines clerics and lay Catholics should do everything possible to find and console these wounded victims.”
Fr. Kabat is now deceased.
Earlmier this week, leaders of a SNAP and a Catholic reform group called Faithful of Southern Illinois (FOSIL) held a news conference in Belleville IL to draw attention to the disclosure of seven predator priests. Fr. Kabat and each of the other six priests who were “outed” as predators belongs or belonged to a Belleville-based Catholic religious order called the Oblates. (1-888-330-6264, mami@oblatesusa.org).
The two groups are also
-- prodding anyone who was hurt by the priests to speak up and get help, and
-- prodding Catholic officials in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois to “come clean” with more information about the priests and aggressively seek out their victims.
“Over the years, these predators had easy access to literally thousands of girls and boys in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and elsewhere,” said Barbara Dorris, outreach director for SNAP. “There could be dozens of adults mired in pain, in Mansfield, Gainesville and elsewhere, because of their crimes. Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates, Springfield Bishop James Johnston, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson and Belleville Bishop Edward Braxton should use parish bulletins, church websites and pulpit announcements” to aggressively seek out and offer help to these wounded victims.”
“Admitting a priest is an abuser isn’t enough,” said Steve Theisen of Hudson. He’s SNAP’s Iowa director. “Searching out those whom he injured is what must happen now.”
Records about seven predator priests are being released as part of a lawsuit settlement.
More details about each of the predators and their specific work histories is available at AndersonAdvocates.com.
The records release is part of a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought in Minnesota against the Oblates by a man who reports having been molested by Fr. Fitzgerald. The settlement involved only the Oblates, so the case against the dioceses of Duluth and New Ulm (where the seven also worked) continues and more long-hidden church records will be divulged in the months ahead.
The attorneys who represent the victim in this case are Jeff Anderson 651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) and Mike Finnegan (651 227 9990). They have also handled clergy sex cases in Illinois and Missouri.
Fr. Kabat also worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Illinois. He was ordained in Mississippi in 1958 as an Oblate and in 1985 as a diocesan priest.
CONTACT
David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, S[email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Steve Theisen, 319-231-1663, [email protected]
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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