MN - Victims prod singer Neil Diamond about predator priest
Victims group prod's Neil Diamond's guitarist
He complained privately of alleged child sex crimes
SNAP: "That's not good enough. Call the police now"
For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris 314 862 7688, [email protected], Bob Schwiderski (952 471 3422, [email protected]
A support group for allergy sex abuse victims is urging Neil Diamond's guitarist to call Minnesota law enforcement officials about a priest who faces a recently re-opened police investigation into possible child pornography.
Recently disclosed church documents show that Fr. Jonathan Shelley wrote to Diamond admitting that Hadley Hockensmith, Diamond’s guitarist, had been “spreading rumors” about Shelley having "indiscretions with young boys.” The priest urged the singer to put a stop to it.
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/802351-shelley-to-neil-diamond-lttr-feb-23-2012.html
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are urging Hockensmith to immediately report what he knows or suspects about possible crimes by Fr. Shelley to the police.
The group sent Hockensmith a message through email, the Postal Service and Diamond’s Twitter account:
Neil diamond-https://twitter.com/NeilDiamond/
“Because high ranking Twin Cities Catholic officials hid evidence of Fr. Shelley’s misconduct – and possible crimes – for a decade, right now Fr. Shelley is a free man,” said David Clohessy of SNAP. “The information Hockensmith can provide might help to keep this cleric from hurting other children and getting away with his crimes forever. What he has done so far is not enough”
“Any information or suspicions of possible child sex crimes must be given to police or prosecutors,” said Bob Schwiderski of SNAP. “That is the moral and civic duty of every adult. While we’re glad Hockensmith apparently told some people about potential crimes, he must now tell law enforcement authorities if kids are to be safer.”
The group also urges anyone with more information will call police, expose wrongdoers, protect kids, and deter cover ups.
http://thwordinc.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-hell-is-going-on-and-neil-diamond.html
A copy of SNAP’s letter to Diamond is below:
Neil Diamond
8715 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles CA 90048
Dear Mr. Diamond
According to media accounts and Catholic church records, your guitarist has accused a Minnesota priest, Fr. Jonathan Shelley, of “indiscretions with young boys.” In a letter written to you in February 2012, Fr. Shelley states that Hadley Hockensmith made these allegations to two friends accusing via email.
Recently, evidence of likely child pornography was found on Fr. Shelley’s computers and a police investigation into this matter has been re-opened.
As survivors of abuse, we are disappointed that Hockensmith apparently has not reported the information he had about Fr. Shelley to the police. Going to the authorities is the only way to protect children. We hope you will urge him to go to do this immediately. By staying silent, Hockensmith may be enabling predators and endangering children.
David Clohessy, Director, SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, (7234 Arsenal Street, St. Louis MO 63143), 314 566 9790 cell ([email protected])
Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director (314 503 0003, [email protected])
Bob Schwiderski, Minnesota SNAP Director (952 471 3422, [email protected])
Posted to Twitter: Your guitarist may know about crimes by a priest, Fr. Jonathan Shelley. Please urge Hockensmith to call police ASAP
http://www.neildiamondhomepage.com/faq.htm
Neil diamond-https://twitter.com/NeilDiamond/
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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