OH - Victims want action by bishop
They want to know where two accused predators are
And they urge him to write to his colleagues in two states
An accused Youngstown pedophile priest worked in MD & MI
Another was sent away in 2011 but his whereabouts aren’t clear
SNAP to Murry: "Tell your flock when, why, and who is ousted deacon"
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, advocates for clergy sex abuse victims will prod Youngstown’s Catholic bishop to disclose
-- disclose why and when he suspended a Cardinal Mooney teacher who faces two allegations of child sex abuse,
-- disclose the whereabouts of this accused predator and another one who was sent away in 2011, and
-- write to Catholic bishops in Maryland and Michigan about a third accused predator who worked there.
They will also
-- prod current and former Catholic employees to speak up about the accused clerics, and
-- urge Youngstown’s bishop to make public all allegations of sexual abuse that he has received, those that have been removed, and all accused clerics that have been reported to law enforcement.
WHEN
TODAY, Thursday, August 29, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE
On the sidewalk outside St. Edward’s parish (where one accused priest worked) 240 Tod Lane, in Youngstown OH
WHO
Two St. Louis activists including, Judy Jones, who is the associate Midwest director of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
In 2002, US Catholic bishops adopted a supposedly binding national child sex abuse charter mandating “openness and transparency” in child sex abuse cases. SNAP, however, believes that Youngstown Bishop George Murry is violating that policy in two recent cases by his “on-going secrecy.”
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/jan/25/bishop-pledges-transparency-about-sexual-abuse-all/
First, in response to a SNAP news conference, Murry disclosed yesterday that a teacher and deacon no longer works for the diocese “in any capacity” but refused to say why. SNAP suspects it is because that teacher/cleric faces child sex abuse allegations. In fact, SNAP disclosed yesterday that the group has heard from one local man, Jerry Arnal, that he had been molested as a child by a Youngstown Catholic teacher/cleric. Weeks ago, SNAP also received an anonymous letter that said the teacher/cleric was ousted recently from his post at Cardinal Mooney High School.
Specifically, first, SNAP wants Murry to tell parents, parishioners and the public when and why the teacher/deacon was removed and whether the individual will ever return to work as a teacher or cleric again. For the sake of public safety, SNAP wants Murry to disclose the man’s identity and current whereabouts too.
Second, SNAP wants Murry to reveal the whereabouts of Fr. John F. Warner, 69, who resigned as pastor of Sts. Philip and James Parish in Canal Fulton in 2011 after an allegation was made that he abused a child years ago at St. Edward’s parish in Youngstown. (A church panel found the allegation credible.)
In 2011, Fr. Warner was sent to a treatment center. But as best SNAP can tell, Murry has refused to disclose where Fr. Warner is now. SNAP hopes he’s still at a facility getting therapy and being kept away from kids.
Finally, if Murry insists on keeping his flock in the dark,” SNAP wants him to at least notify Catholics and citizens in Maryland and Michigan that Fr. John E. Hammer worked and lived in those states. (Hammer admitted molesting one altar boy and sued by three Youngstown area children he abused.) SNAP is urging Murry to buy ads in secular and church newspapers in those states, to “reach out to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Fr. Hammer’s crimes there, so that he might be prosecuted and so that they might get help.”
Details on Fr. Hammer are at BishopAccountability.org and here: http://www.bishop-accountability.org/resources/resource-files/databases/BaltimorePriests.htm#JohnHammer
Fr. Warner’s photo and work history are here: http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Warner_John_Francis.htm
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/09_10/2011_10_11_Ferrise_BishopPriest.htm
http://www.570wkbn.com/articles/570-wkbn-news-457147/victim-cites-new-abuser-11547296/
CONTACT
Judy Jones 314-974-5003 cell, [email protected], David Clohessy, 314-566-9790 cell, [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