Media Statements

Shame on West Virginia Bishop Michael Bransfield. In a blatant rebuke to a judge and prosecutors, Bransfield is refusing to send one of his top aides to a criminal child sex abuse and cover up trial in Philadelphia. (Reportedly, Bransfield claims the trial appears to be evolving into a circus.)

Cardinal Roger Mahony and his former second-in-command are refusing to show up for a clergy sex abuse and cover up trial happening now in Stockton. 

A predator priest from California has fled back to his home in Ireland. He's been found guilty of molesting one boy, is being investigated in another, and was to take the witness stand today. 

Our hearts go out to the loves ones of Nathan Stansbury, the Lafayette District Attorney who prosecuted the first pedophile priest to attract national headlines.

We are grateful to the Colorado law enforcement officials who apprehended this dangerous predator. While Routt Co. Sherriff Garrett Wiggins has said that these crimes are unrelated to a church, we still urge the officials at Hyland Baptist Church to aggressively seek anyone who may have seen, suspected, or suffered crimes at Brothers’ hand to come forward immediately. 

Our hearts go out to the young victim and recognize the pain and isolation she must feel. Her welfare is of utmost importance and everything should be done to insure that she is safe and secure, free from any intimidation. Detention seems a harsh remedy. Surely the courts can take into consideration her youth and emotional insecurity to make other arrangements less egregious and punitive. 

It is deplorable that Darwin Schauer was hired as a pastor when officials knew that he had abused children in the past. Charges of negligence should be brought against these officials for placing this predator in a situation where he easily could – and did – abuse another child. We hope that justice will be served for the newest victim of this predator. 

We support the effort in IL led by State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) to toughen the sex offender registry. The safety of children and the prevention of future child sexual abuse should always be paramount  in discussions about these laws. We are glad that, unlike in neighboring Missouri, lawmakers in IL are focusing on the right priorities.

For the second time in his career, Los Angeles' Cardinal Roger Mahony will testify in open court in a child sex abuse and cover up case in Stockton, a diocese he headed for years before coming to LA. 

Twice in a matter of weeks, a supporter of Fr. Michael Kelly has attempted to sway a juror. This is a crime, and deserves to be punished as such. It is one thing to pray for a priest and believe he is innocent (though a 12 person jury found him guilty of molesting a boy). It is quite another to actively attempt to persuade a juror towards your point of view.