|
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAP
Press Release
For immediate release: For more information: Sex Abuse Victims Support Groups Want Probation Terms Enforced on Convicted Ohio Priest Groups Write Judge Two support groups for clergy sex abuse victims are urging a judge to more vigorously enforce the conditions of probation that she laid down for a Catholic priest convicted of crimes against minors. The local chapters of Voice of the Faithful [VOTF] and Survivors
Network of those Abused by Priests [SNAP]) are writing Montgomery
County Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Katherine Huffman about Father
Thomas Kuhn. Among other steps, Kuhn was ordered to stay away from anyone under
the age of 21, seek treatment for his alcohol, sexual and gambling
issues, and write, within 60 days of sentencing, letters of apology
to the victims, parishes and schools that where harmed by his actions
SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), is the nation's oldest and largest support group for victims of clergy sexual abuse with support groups in over 60 cities nation wide. VOTF (Voice of the Faithful) is an organization of Catholics intent upon supporting victims of sexual abuse by priests and working to change the environment in the Church that allowed it to occur. A copy of the letter to Judge Mary Katherine Huffman, sent today by hardcopy and e-mail, is below: ============================================ December 29, 2004 Dear Judge Huffman: Last June, Father Thomas Kuhn stood in your courtroom and pled
"no contest" to ten counts of providing alcohol to minors
and one count of indecency for masturbating in front of a minor.
He now also faces several current civil molestation lawsuits. Among other steps, Kuhn was ordered to stay away from anyone under
the age of 21, seek treatment for his alcohol, sexual and gambling
issues, and write, within 60 days of sentencing, letters of apology
to the victims, parishes and schools that where harmed by his actions
Further, we are upset that in September, Kuhn showed up at Elder High School in Cincinnati, the day after the tragic death of an Elder student, violating his probation restriction against being around youngsters. Kuhn's presence on campus was witnessed by several individuals and acknowledged by Father Joe Binzer, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Your Honor, you yourself said in the courtroom last summer that Thomas Kuhn was remorseless and that he "just didn't get it". Apparently nothing as changed... Apparently it is acceptable for him to ignore or pick and choose which conditions of probations that he will follow. It is our hope that the court will look further into this current situation with Kuhn and make sure that our young people are protected from further transgressions by this man. Thank you. Sincerely, Michael H. Knellinger Kristine Ward Christy Miller
|
|
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests www.snapnetwork.org | ||