NC - Alleged predator priest, now in NC, gets “off the hook"
Local Catholic bishops should do “outreach,” victims say
Accused in 2 states, they fear he may have hurt kids here too
A jury awarded one of his victims $4 million but cleric has paid little
For immediate release: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013
For more information: David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
A credibly accused predator priest who allegedly molested kids in two states now apparently lives in North Carolina. And victims’ group is urging North Carolina Catholic officials to warn parents, parishioners and the public about him and “aggressively” seek out anyone there who may have be hurt by him.
A child sex abuse lawsuit against Fr. Raymond P. Melville, who allegedly assaulted kids in Maine and Maryland, was tossed out last week the Maine Supreme Court. Leaders of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, are asking the Catholic bishops of Raleigh and Charlotte to use church bulletins, pulpit announcements and parish websites to alert North Carolinians about Fr. Melville’s presence here.
Internet sources suggest that Fr. Melville now lives in Elkin.
http://www.whitepages.com/name/Raymond-P-Melville/Elkin-NC/16hneyd
“For the sake of public safety, Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge of Raleigh and Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis of Charlotte should use their considerable resources to warn families about this dangerous cleric,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s director. “Catholic officials should not help predators by keeping silent about their crimes and sending them to other places or letting them quietly move to other places after they’ve been credibly accused of hurting kids.”
Charles Bailey of SNAP Raleigh ([email protected], 919-665-0883) says he doubts that Fr. Melville is working in a church right now, especially because, according to media accounts, he reportedly “left the priesthood.”
“But we see no evidence that Fr. Melville has been defrocked, so it’s possible he’s still calling himself a priest, using that title to gain access to unsuspecting families and being paid by Catholic officials,” said Bailey.
“And regardless of whether he’s working or retired, any reasonable person would assume he’s still dangerous,” Clohessy stressed. “He might have babysat for relatives last night, be tutoring elementary school kids this morning, giving private chess or music lessons to middle school kids this afternoon.”
A Maine jury, in 2008, awarded $4 million to one of Fr. Melville’s victims, William Picher.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/01_02/2008_01_28_Erskine_ManWins.htm
In Maine, Fr. Melville worked at several parishes including one in Augusta.
In Maryland, Fr. Melville worked at two places in Maryland: Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Locust Point (1980 to 1984) and the University of Maryland Hospital (1982 to 1983). He attended the University of Baltimore and St. Mary's Seminary (1979 to 1985).
Fr. Melville is accused of abusing in both states.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/BaltimorePriests.htm
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_08_21_Rivera_ArchdioceseLists_Mark_Haight_5.htm
“We hope anyone who saw suspected or suffered Fr. Melville’s crimes – in Maryland or Maine or North Carolina – will find the courage to call police, expose wrongdoing, protect kids, deter cover ups and start healing,” said Neal Evans, another North Carolina SNAP leader ([email protected], 828-299-3972).
The attorney who represents Fr. Melville’s victim is Sumner Lipman of Augusta, Maine.
According to one news account, Fr. Melville also once lived in Oklahoma.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/01_02/2008_01_28_Erskine_ManWins.htm
A photo of Fr. Melville is available at BishopAccountability.org.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [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