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Clergy Abuse, Church Reform, and Accountability

How should we address the legacy of clergy abuse, and what reforms can advocate for institutional accountability? The Good Men Project July 6, 2025 By Scott Douglas Jacobsen Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz Jr. served over 30 years as Lead Pastor of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Known for passionate preaching, community leadership, and a commitment to justice and compassion, he profoundly shaped the Church’s mission before retiring in 2024 after a celebrated ministry. Lentz reflects on his 30-year tenure at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, where he inherited the traumatic legacy of sexual abuse by a former associate pastor. Lentz details the Church’s response—early efforts at acknowledgment, limited legal options, and survivor support—highlighting the structural weaknesses in denominational accountability. He explores systemic patterns of abuse across denominations, including the role of clerical authority, enabling networks, and institutional cover-ups. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and theology, Lentz emphasizes the importance of independent investigations, seminary reform, and third-party oversight. He warns against simplistic narratives that scapegoat Catholicism alone and calls for nuanced, data-driven reform efforts across religious institutions. He discussed how virtues like compassion and forgiveness, without accountability, can become vulnerabilities. Both advocate for cultural and institutional reforms rooted in moral clarity, survivor support, and transparent justice processes. The dialogue ultimately calls for partnership—not polarization—in addressing clergy abuse. Scott Douglas Jacobsen: So, you are a former pastor at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church. What is the story there? We can use that as a context for a broader conversation about a wider phenomenon. Rev. Dr. John Lentz: Yes. I served as pastor at Forest Hill Church for thirty years, from 1994 to 2024. During my final interview before being offered the position, the search committee told me something they felt I needed to know. They said, “John, we need to tell you this because it might affect your decision to come here.” They explained that a previous associate pastor had been involved in the sexual abuse of youth in the congregation. That wasn’t comforting to hear. Here is what I learned so from personal knowledge: In 1977, Reverend Dale Small became the associate pastor at Forest Hill Church. He came from another congregation in the Detroit area of Michigan. His primary responsibilities were overseeing the confirmation program and leading retreat and camping ministries. He served in that role until 1981. Afterward, he retired and was granted the honorary title of pastor emeritus. He moved to North Carolina following his retirement. In 1984, he organized a reunion-style camping trip for former youth members of Forest Hill Church in North Carolina. During that event, one former youth participant—by then in his twenties—experienced a resurgence of traumatic memories related to prior abuse. He left the trip and returned home. Later that year, he and his parents sent a letter to the Church’s governing body (the session) reporting that Dale Small had sexually abused him. The letter also mentioned other possible victims, although it is unclear how many individuals were named or how those claims were verified. When I joined the Church in 1994, ten years after that disclosure, I learned that the session at the time had responded by engaging a consultant—though I do not know their name—to assess what actions should be taken to support the congregation, particularly its youth. They also reportedly sent letters to families whose children had been part of the youth group or confirmation classes during that period, asking whether anything inappropriate had occurred. It was reported that at least half a dozen boys came forward, identifying themselves as victims of abuse. Many of these boys came from homes where the father was absent or where the family structure had been disrupted. All of the reported victims were male.

SNAP Media Events

SNAP to present new whistleblower documents concerning Pope Leo’s role in abuse cover-up at May 20th press conference in Chicago

Mounting evidence points to pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims across Leo’s ecclesiastical career

CHICAGO, IL – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 1 E. Wacker Dr. (the Izard Room) in Downtown Chicago, to present new evidence concerning Pope Leo XIV and his alleged involvement in the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse cases during his previous roles in the Catholic Church.


MEDIA ADVISORY: SNAP Press Event Tomorrow (5/7) in Rome

Next pope likely to have covered up sex crimes: New whistleblower docs show liberal and conservative candidates involved in abuse cover-ups

Global survivors will unveil a 100-day roadmap for the next pope to solve the clergy abuse crisis on Thursday

 

ROME, ITALY — As the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), ConclaveWatch.org, and survivor leaders from across the globe are sounding the alarm: the next pope is almost certain to have covered up clergy abuse. He will also appoint others with similar records to key Vatican positions.


Abuse survivors to reveal new evidence on papal candidates at Rome press conference ahead of conclave

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2025

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Wednesday, April 30 at 11:00am to announce new information gathered as part of SNAP’s new Conclave Watch initiative including updates to previously filed Vos Estis Lux Mundi reports as well information gathered on other potential papal candidates and cardinal electors.

“Since we started the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors around the world have reached out to us with information about Catholic cardinals. We’ve heard from victims and advocates from Fiji, Tonga, Belgium, France, South Africa, Malawi, France, Italy, Canada, and all over the United States. Abuse survivors do not want to see another conclave that elects a pope who has shielded and covered up for clergy offenders,” said Sarah Pearson, a SNAP spokesperson.  


MEDIA ADVISORY: SNAP Press event in Rome on Tuesday March 25

(Rome, Italy) - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00am to release a letter from clergy abuse survivors to Pope Francis. The letter conveys survivors’ urgent appeals to the pope in light of his declining health and the looming transition in church leadership.

At the same time, SNAP will announce the first results of its new Conclave Watch initiative—a global vetting process examining the records of potential papal candidates on clergy sexual abuse and their commitment to zero tolerance. As part of the Conclave Watch initiative, survivors will present several complaints made under the pope’s Vos estis lux mundi decree against prominent cardinals in positions of oversight and leadership of the church’s management of clergy sexual abuse.


Clergy abuse survivors to hold press conference Tuesday to deliver survivors’ message to pope and announce vetting of future papal candidates

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) will hold a press conference in Rome on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:00am to release a letter from clergy abuse survivors to be delivered this weekend to Pope Francis. The letter conveys survivors’ urgent appeals to the pope in light of his declining health and the looming transition in church leadership.


Victims blast Peoria bishop on abuse

Victims blast Peoria bishop on abuse

In new video, man who sued speaks up for first time

His predator priest still lives in IL but diocese won’t say where

Advocate challenges Tylka to “help put abusive cleric behind bars

SNAP: “Offering prayers won’t cut it. Bishop must act to safeguard kids

Roughly 50 Peoria area priests are now publicly accused child molesters

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will try to hand deliver a letter to Peoria’s Catholic bishop

--blasting him for ‘reckless inaction’ in response to a lawsuit last week against a still-living but defrocked predator priest,

--urging him to protect kids by ‘personally visiting each place the abuser worked and beg victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to call the police,’ and

--challenging local church employees - ‘no matter what the bishop does or doesn’t do’ - to ‘aggressively warn parents and the public about this predator.’

Also, in an impassioned new video, the victim who sued the cleric last week will discuss his shame, suicidal feelings, hopefulness and explain why he’s coming forward and taking action now.

WHEN
Monday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the Peoria Catholic Diocese headquarters (a.k.a chancery office or Spalding Center), 492 NE. Madison Ave. in Peoria

WHO

Two-four clergy sex abuse victims including a Missouri man (also abused as a child by a priest) who is the former national director of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)


SNAP Press Event in Houma on Thursday

Victims charge Houma Catholic church is ‘reckless’ on abuse

Group says diocese ‘is still hiding at least 4 local perpetrators’

Other dioceses post their names & say the allegations are ‘credible’

SNAP: “But Houma officials refuse, leaving kids at risk & victims wounded”

Support group also alerts child victims to an unusual new legal opportunity

New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue

‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ survivors say

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will

--write on a sidewalk the names of four publicly accused clerics who are or were in the Houma-Thibodaux diocese but are largely ‘under the radar’ and are still being hidden by local church officials, and

---urge anyone “with information or suspicions about known or possible abusers” to call police, not church staff, contact SNAP and “protect others and start healing.”

They will also urge Catholics to join with them in spreading awareness of an “unusual and ground-breaking child safety law” that “enables virtually any child sex abuse victim to sue, no matter how long ago the crime happened, so that the truth will be known about every bishop, priest, brother, nun, seminarian, or layperson who hurt kids.”

WHEN

Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11:15 a.m.

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of St. Francis, 500 Goode St. in Houma (985-876-6904)


WHO

Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director


SNAP Press Event in Baton Rouge on Wednesday

Abuse victims blast Baton Rouge bishop

He’s hiding at least three ‘credibly accused’ abusive priests

Other church officials say allegations against the men are ‘credible’

SNAP: “If church officials are hiding them, what else might they be hiding?”

Support group also alerts child victims to unusual new legal opportunity

New law means that anyone molested at any time by anyone can now sue

‘By coming forward, the wounded can protect the vulnerable,’ victims say

WHAT

Using sidewalk chalk, while holding signs and childhood photos, clergy sex abuse victims will write on a sidewalk the names of three publicly accused child molesting clerics who are NOT on the Baton Rouge Catholic bishop’s ‘credibly accused’ list and thus remain largely ‘under the radar.’

They will also urge 

---Catholics and others to “spread the word” about an unusual new Louisiana law that will make kids safer by enabling victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue those who committed or concealed the crimes - no matter how long ago they were violated, and

---those with information or suspicions about ANY other known or possible perpetrators to a) call police, not church staff, and b) contact SNAP.

WHEN

Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 2 PM

WHERE

On the sidewalk outside St. Joseph Cathedral, 401 Main Street (corner of 4th) in Baton Rouge

WHO

Two child sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who for 30 years was the organization’s national director


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Accused Greek Orthodox Metropolitan dies; SNAP stands with the victim

For immediate release: July 7, 2025

Metropolitan Athenagoras Aneste, former Greek Metropolitan of Mexico and Vize, died on July 1, 2025. His funeral service will be held at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois, on July 9th. As best as SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, can tell, the metropolitan will be buried with all the honors accorded a clergyman in good standing.

Our hearts break for John Metsopoulos, who told us in 2022 that he was sexually harassed by the Metropolitan in 2019 in Mexico. John also reported ongoing physical and psychological abuse from 2017 to 2019. In addition to the harm he suffered personally, John said that he had direct knowledge of fraud by the metropolitan. SNAP had received similar accusations against Metropolitan Aneste years earlier from a now deceased Orthodox priest who worked in Haiti, Fr. Michael Graves.

Studies show that false claims of abuse are extremely rare. We also know that adults abused by clergy can suffer significant harm. Moreover, John is a former Connecticut state representative (132nd district, 1984-94), as well as a former first selectman (mayor) of Fairfield, Connecticut (1999-2003). He comes from a devout family long involved with the Greek Orthodox Church.

It looked like John’s accusations against Metropolitan Aneste, while never directly acknowledged or addressed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, had borne fruit early last year, when a new metropolitan was elected for Mexico. Metropolitan Athenagoras became the head of the Metropolis of Vize, Turkey. These changes were made under the leadership of Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (Dimitrios Archontonis). According to Pew Research, the Orthodox population of Mexico is 110,000. There are almost no Greek Orthodox faithful in Turkey. Politico noted in 2020 that even the larger city of Istanbul numbered no more than 600 families. So, this appeared to be a significant demotion. It seems to us that being moved to a much smaller metropolis in the wake of accusations is very similar to the practice of shuffling accused priests from place to place that has been employed by the Catholic Church. 


Diocese of Fresno finally files for bankruptcy; SNAP questions the timing

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2025

After announcing their intention to file for bankruptcy last May, the Diocese of Fresno finally did so today. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, wonders at the timing. Just yesterday, liaison counsel for the plaintiffs in the coordinated NorCal clergy cases, Rick Simons of Furtado, Jaspovice and Simmons ([email protected], 510-917-2169), made a motion asking the court to sanction the diocesan attorney, Mart Oller, for the unacceptable delay in starting the bankruptcy process. Attached to the motion was Rick's Declaration, an 83-page document, including 12 Exhibits

At the time of the initial bankruptcy announcement, there was a global mediation in progress between the Diocese and its survivors, and twelve cases had been identified for bellwether trials. The announcement disrupted the progress of the mediation, even without ever being filed. Plaintiffs’ attorneys suspect that the Diocese may have used the delay to move assets, thus protecting them from distribution to survivors of child sexual abuse. If true, the final payouts for these heinous crimes will be correspondingly reduced.

Delaying the settlement of lawsuits is a well-known tactic of the Catholic Church. When the Diocese announced its intention to file for bankruptcy last year, SNAP issued this statement, outlining the downside of this decision for survivors, particularly for those who are too young to come forward before the deadline to file claims closes. We stand by it. 

In addition, the life-long impact of child sexual abuse already makes victims more at risk of an early death than the general population, and delayed disclosure means that many of the survivors who filed lawsuits in the recent civil window are likely to be older in any case.

Out of the 153 victims who filed lawsuits against Fresno, Rick's declaration includes information about the death of three of them in Exhibit 12. We suspect that more deaths have occurred. SNAP believes that this is exactly why the Church drags its feet in resolving these cases. For every victim that is no longer alive, information about their abusers and the enablers may be lost, and the subsequent settlements are, again, likely to be less.

Karen Lowart's son Jason, who was sexually abused by Fr. Donald Flickinger, when Jason was only 4 years old, is among those who did not live to see even a small measure of justice. Jason died from an accidental fentanyl overdose on November 5, 2023, and Karen reached out to SNAP shortly after. The bereaved mother came into possession of a chilling video earlier this year that supports Jason’s outcry against the clergyman. Jason' death certificate is among the three included in Rick's Exhibit 12. He was only 27 at the time of his death. 


California Catholic priest arrested for sexual crimes against children; survivors group hopes that the victims will finally see justice

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2025

On June 12, 2025, a Catholic priest from San Diego was arrested for the sexual assault of three children. The crimes occurred over 30 years ago. From 1991 through 1999, the clergyman reportedly brought the children, who were all under 14 years old, to the Central Coast. He is accused of committing oral copulation on all three and sodomy on one.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is grateful that the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is pursuing this case. We hope that the victims will finally receive a measure of justice through the courts for all their years of suffering.

The accused,  Fr. Theodore Edward Gabrielli, worked at churches, schools, and ministries in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Angeles. His past assignments include Most Holy Trinity Parish in San Jose, Dolores Mission in Los Angeles, and Social Ministries in Los Gatos. Prior to his arrest, the clergyman was a member of the Loyola High School of Los Angeles' Board of Directors.  He was also working with the Dolores Mission in Los Angeles. Fr. Gabrielli remains in jail without bail until his arraignment on July 8th.


NJ Supreme Court Allows Grand Jury Investigation into Catholic Church to Proceed; SNAP elated

For immediate release: June 16, 2025

The New Jersey State Supreme Court ruled today that a grand jury may examine accusations of Catholic clergy sexually abusing children. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is elated with this decision. Mark Crawford, SNAP’s New Jersey leader, said, “Decades of crimes against children will finally be exposed.”

Time and again, it seems to us, that the only path towards transparency when dealing with the abuse of children by Catholic priests and staffers is through the free press and the secular courts. In fact, at every turn, powerful Church officials, with millions of dollars at their disposal to hire the best law firms, oppose the very openness they pledged in 2002 in the Dallas Charter.

Hundreds of priests have already been identified as abusers because of the courage of survivors. According to the Pew Research Center, New Jersey is one of four states where Catholics made up a plurality of the population. We believe that a robust, subpoena-driven grand jury investigation in the style of Pennsylvania’s may well expose hundreds more perpetrators, and will make the New Jersey Catholic Church a safer place for today’s children.


Cindy Clemishire and her father file a lawsuit; SNAP believes their action will help to protect other children

For immediate release: June 13, 2025

Cindy Clemishire, who accused Robert Morris of child sexual abuse, and her father have filed a lawsuit against the former pastor, his wife and several current and former Gateway church leaders. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, believes that their action will help to protect today's and future children. We stand with Cindy and her father in their fight for justice and accountability. 

To us, the fact that Cindy’s father is part of this lawsuit highlights an important element of the sexual abuse of children by religious leaders that is often overlooked: the entire family is harmed, not just the victim. We hope that the elder Clemishire gains a measure of healing by participating in this process.


St. Ignatius College Prep accused of retaliation for abuse report: SNAP responds

For immediate release: June 10, 2025

SF Gate reported today that a former longtime teacher at St. Ignatius College Preparatory School filed a lawsuit last week accusing the school of firing him for reporting another teacher’s "alleged sexual misconduct." SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is very disturbed by the claims in the complaint.

Ted Curry worked in the drama department at St. Ignatius from 2000 until his termination on February 11th. The lawsuit claims that the school retaliated against Mr. Curry because his 2006 report on another drama teacher, Peter Devine, revealed that the school had “covered up” the accusation.

Mr. Curry’s 2006 report resurfaced when a former St. Ignatius student accused Mr. Devine of sexually abusing him in 1996. During the school’s internal investigation into that accusation, Mr. Curry informed the investigator about his report. 

Following this disclosure, the suit claims St. Ignatius began to retaliate against Mr. Curry “almost immediately.” The student accusing Mr. Devine of sexual abuse in 1996 subsequently filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court in 2023. Mr. Curry is expected to testify in the trial on Sept. 9th. 


Abuse victims wants KC KS archbishop to do more re Bishop Miege allegation

For immediate release: June 6, 2025

The head of a Kansas City Kansas Catholic school has been suspended because of "recent reports" questioning his ability to "oversee a safe environment" for kids.

To SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, it seems pathetic that Catholic officials continue to be so secretive about Phil Baniewicz, his recent behavior, and the child sex abuse report against him from Arizona.

While his suspension is welcome, in our opinion, he should never have been hired in the first place two years ago.


Survivors again urge expanded list of abusers for the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, NC

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2025 

On May 29, 2025, Bishop Michael Martin of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, announced that the Vatican had affirmed his predecessor’s removal of Fr. Patrick Hoare from ministry for “boundary violations with minors.” Fr. Hoare was placed on administrative leave from his position at St. Matthew Parish by Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis in December of 2019. Bishop Martin wrote that he can now appoint a new administrator for the church.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, applauds the Diocese’s decision to remove Fr. Hoare from St. Matthew's while his appeal to Rome was pending. However, we are puzzled why his name still does not appear on Charlotte’s list of “Credibly Accused Clergy.”

We first asked this question back in 2021. It is especially concerning to us that Fr. Hoare continues to post “Daily Reflections with Fr. Pat," featuring a picture of him in clerical garb. We are afraid that this apparent representation of Fr. Hoare as a priest in good standing, rather than one who was removed for  “boundary violations with minors,” may endanger other children. 


Abuse occurred at 81% of the Archdiocese of San Francisco's parishes; SNAP reacts

For immediate release: May 22, 2025

The survivors' committee in the Archdiocese of San Francisco's bankruptcy yesterday released Claims Data, which pulled information from individual reports filed in the proceeding. According to this data, 71 of the 88 parishes in the Archdiocese (81%) were named in the abuse claims. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called this and the other revelations from the report  "wrenching," and added, "There was no good news to be had  in this data."

The survivors' group also again emphasized that no archbishop of San Francisco had ever released a list of accused perpetrators. However, by SNAP's count, about 150 people were accused of abuse in the bankruptcy. Adding this information to the data already collected by the group, over 500 perpetrators lived or worked in the Archdiocesan territories of Marin, San Mateo, and San Francisco County. In addition, because the Oakland, Santa Rosa, San Jose, and Stockton dioceses were at one time a part of the Archdiocese, its tentacles reached to state lines and into central California. In all, hundreds of parishes and schools were the locations of abuse. 

SNAP Board Member and Treasurer, Dan McNevin stated, "These abusers truly had absolutely shocking and widespread impact that defied the imagination and that deserved attention from Catholics, secular law enforcement, and the public." Dan went on to add that while 81% of the parishes in the Archdiocese were identified as sites of abuse in this bankruptcy, because so few victims ever come forward, and because SNAP's records show 98% of parishes housed or employed known perpetrators, there is no doubt that nearly every parish in the Archdiocese was the site of crimes against children.


Statement from SNAP on the proposed Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy settlement

The best legal settlements offer survivors a sense of closure and justice. Unfortunately, the proposed bankruptcy settlement from the Archdiocese of New Orleans offers neither. Survivors have the right to vote “no” on this settlement and force the Archdiocese of New Orleans to come back with a better offer—one that truly reflects the full extent of the harm it has caused to survivors and their families.


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We are SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. We are the largest, oldest and most active support group for women and men wounded by religious authority figures (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns and others).

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