Joliet bishop again ousts predator priest, SNAP responds
Joliet Bishop Conlon has reversed himself, putting a suspended, credibly accused child molesting cleric back on the job last week and removing him again this week.
Last week, Conlon acted selfishly and deceptively, blaming the Vatican for his own decision to put the predator priest back in parish ministry. It's clear that Conlon wanted the priest back to work but has changed his mind, citing some vague "subsequent discussions."
While we're grateful that, for now, Fr. Lee Ryan won't be visiting parishioners in their homes. He belongs behind bars or in a remote, secure treatment facility. Instead of using his public relations staff to do "damage control" after his reckless move, Conlon should be using them to aggressively seek out others who've been hurt by this child molesting cleric.
We strongly suspect that another allegation against Ryan has come in and that Conlon is refusing to acknowledge it.
We urge everyone who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. Ryan's crimes to call police officials, not church officials, and help keep this dangerous man away from kids.