Media Statements

For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

Statement by Joelle Casteix of California, SNAP Southern California director (949-322-7434, [email protected])

A priest who abused in Los Angeles is now accused of molesting a Philippine presidential candidate.

http://manila.coconuts.co/2015/12/08/confirmed-priest-who-sexually-abused-duterte-also-had-same-cases-us

For immediate release: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

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

Detroit Catholic officials must do aggressive outreach – to 20 parishes and across the entire archdiocese – to seek out and help others who were hurt by a just-accused predator priest.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/12/08/child-sex-abuse-allegation-against-late-priest-deemed-credible/

For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 7, 2015

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP outreach director (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])

The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a Minnesota predator priest. Now, Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda has no reason to sit back and do nothing. If he cares about healing the wounded and protecting the vulnerable, Hebda will work hard to find and help others who have been hurt by Fr. Christopher Wenthe.

Fr. Wenthe “was convicted in 2011 of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for having sex with (a) woman at a meeting in which she sought counseling in 2003. State law makes it a felony for clergy members to have sex with people they are spiritually advising,” according to the AP.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3984285.shtml

http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_28373255/st-paul-priests-sex-misconduct-conviction-reinstated

http://www.mncourts.gov/opinions/sc/current/OPA120263-062415.pdf

For immediate release: Monday, Dec. 7, 2015

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

Duluth’s Catholic bishop is making an immoral, selfish, and hurtful move by seeking bankruptcy protection. More kids are apt to be molested because of Bishop Paul Sirba’s irresponsible decision to put his comfort and his colleagues ahead of his flock and their families.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3898226-diocese-duluth-files-bankruptcy

For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015

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

Hundreds of pages of long-secret records about three child molesting Catholic priest who spent years in the Bahamas have been released. Church officials should tell parents, parishioners and the public about them.

Fr. Richard Eckroth, Fr. Thomas Gillespie and Fr. Finian McDonald worked at Saint Augustine’s in Nassau the Bahamas. They’re all “credibly accused” of abuse, according to their church supervisors, and have been or are being sued for abuse.

McDonald admitted abusing 200 children and traveled frequently to Bahamas until 2002.

http://www.startribune.com/accused-monk-at-st-john-s-abbey-reports-more-than-200-sexual-encounters/353241311/

For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015

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

We’re deeply saddened – but not surprised - by the news that $5 million has been spent on the St. Paul archdiocesan bankruptcy. It’s tragic how much bishops will spend to keep their abuse cover ups covered up. 

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/12/03/archdiocese-bankruptcy  

For immediate release: Friday, Dec. 4, 2915

Ousted predator priest is cleric in another denomination

Victims want church officials to warn the public about him

He’s left the Catholic church but is now Unitarian minister

A New Hampshire priest who was ousted because of credible allegations of child sex abuse has apparently been a minister for years at a rural New Hampshire Unitarian church.

Fr. Mark Fleming now heads South Parish Unitarian in Charlestown, NH (603 826 3418)

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

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

Mizzou officials should revoke Bill Cosby’s honorary degree and apologize for not doing so sooner. We applaud the faculty who are pushing for this simple but crucial move.

http://fox4kc.com/2015/12/02/university-of-missouri-faculty-suggest-revoking-cosby-degree/

For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

Statement by SNAP leader Bill McAlary (616-514-0654, [email protected])

A young man who was sexually abused as a youngster by a tutor is filing a civil lawsuit against Catholic officials. We applaud his courage and are glad that he’s taking steps to expose those who ignored or concealed these heinous crimes. We’re especially grateful because too often, child sex crimes by women against boys and girls are minimized.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/12/teen_sex_assault_victim_files.html

For immediate release: Friday, Nov. 27, 2015

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

More than 600 pages of long-secret records about a child molesting Catholic priest who spent years in Arizona have been released. Arizona church officials should tell parents, parishioners and the public about him.

He’s Father Bruce Wollmering. Twice, he was a graduate student (1969-70, 1975-78) at the University of Arizona in Tucson. In 1976, he had an internship at U of A hospital and family clinic in Benson, AZ. In 1985-1986, he was granted “academic leave” from U of A.