NE--Two predator priests “outed” for first time
For immediate release: Monday, July 13
For more information:
David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]), Steve Theisen (319-231-1663, [email protected])
Two predator priests “outed” for first time
They spent time in two Nebraska Catholic dioceses
Both are “credibly accused child molesters,” church admits
Long secret records about them were just released last week
More hidden documents will be disclosed in the months ahead
Two Catholic priests who spent time in Nebraska have been publicly identified for the first time as “credibly accused” child molesters and a victims group wants local church officials to “aggressively seek out and help” others who have been hurt by them.
They are Fr. Michael Charland and Fr. Emil Twardochleb.
According to the Official Catholic Directory, in 1972, Fr. Charland was a full-time student at the Oblate House of Studies at Creighton University. In 1968, Fr. Twardochleb worked at St. Patrick’s parish in McCook, NE
http://www.andersonadvocates.com/documents/posts/Michael%20Charland%20Assignment%20Timeline.pdf
http://www.andersonadvocates.com/documents/posts/Emil%20Twardochleb%20Assignment%20Timeline.pdf
Fr. Charland is now a psychologist in the Twin Cities area. Fr. Twardochleb is deceased. http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/07/07/oblate-names-released
“We’re afraid Fr. Charland may be hurting kids right now,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis. He heads an international support group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “And it’s very likely others who were hurt by both priests are still suffering in shame, silence and self-blame. Omaha’s archbishop, other clerics and lay Catholics should do everything possible to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded through aggressive outreach to others victims witnesses and whistleblowers.”
SNAP is also
-- prodding anyone who was hurt by the priests to speak up and get help, and
-- prodding Catholic officials in Omaha, Minnesota, Belleville and elsewhere to “come clean” with more information about the priests and aggressively seek out their victims.
Creighton is in the Omaha Archdiocese which is headed by Archbishop George Lucas. McCook is in the Lincoln diocese which is headed by Bishop James D. Conley.
“Over the years, these predators had easy access to literally thousands of girls and boys in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and elsewhere,” said Barbara Dorris, outreach director for SNAP. “There could be dozens of adults mired in pain because of their crimes. Prelates in Nebraska, Canada, Minnesota, Mississippi, Texas, Wisconsin and North Dakota and South Dakota should use parish bulletins, church websites and pulpit announcements to aggressively seek out and offer help to these wounded victims.”
Records about seven predator priests are being released as part of a lawsuit settlement. Only one of the priests (Fr. James Vincent Fitzgerald) has been publicly exposed before as a credibly accused child molester.
More details about each of the predators and their specific work histories (including dates, parishes and photos) is available at AndersonAdvocates.com
Each priest belonged or belongs to a Belleville Illinois-based religious order called the Oblates (1-888-330-6264, [email protected]).
The records release stems from a civil lawsuit brought in Minnesota against the Oblates by a man who reports having been molested by Fr. James Vincent Fitzgerald. The settlement involved only the Oblates, so the case against the dioceses of Duluth and New Ulm (where the seven also worked) continues. So more long-hidden church records will be divulged in the months ahead.
The attorneys who represent the victim in this case are Jeff Anderson 651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell) and Mike Finnegan (651 227 9990). They have handled clergy sex cases across the US.
Both priests also worked in Canada and Minnesota. Fr. Charland also worked in Mississippi, Texas, and Wisconsin. Fr. Twardochleb also worked in Illinois, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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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