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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAP
Press Release
For immediate release: Clergy sex abuse victims to leaflet Harlem church Pastor was recently ousted for molesting children Group reaches out to “others suffering in silence and shame” SNAP blasts archdiocese for “moving slowly & secretly” in the case In last 5 years, at least two pedophile priests worked at prominent Catholic parish What: – urge victims and witnesses to call police and get independent help, and – defend their accused pastor privately, so other victims aren’t intimidated from speaking up The fliers will also be highly critical of New York church officials who, the group feels, mishandled the case, moved too slowly, and should be doing aggressive outreach to others who’ve been hurt. When: Sunday, Sept.14, 11:00 a.m. & again at 12:30 p.m. Where: In Harlem, outside Church of St. Charles Borromeo, 211 W. 141st St. ( W 114st St. & 7th Ave. ) Who: Details: Last month, the New York archdiocese suspended a high-profile, politically-connected priest, Msgr. Wallace A. Harris, from his post in the wake of allegations that he molested at least two boys. Harris, a popular and veteran pastor, has allegedly denied the charges but won’t speak publicly. He helped organize the Pope’s spring visit to New York, chairs the archdiocesan priests’ council, gave the invocation at Gov. Paterson’s inauguration, and has been called ‘a rising star’ within the church. SNAP feels the archdiocese moved too slowly and ‘severely mishandled’ the case. Another priest assigned to the parish was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old girl in 2003, and sentenced to a prison term of four months, according to the NY Times. At least one Harris victim has contacted the Manhattan district attorney office. Another is a former cop, Eric Crumbley, who now pastors the Harlem Faith Center in NY (646-552-7660). Harris was ordained in 1972 and Crumbley’s allegations stem from that time period when Harris worked at the Church of St. Joseph of the Holy Family on 125th Street. Other accusations involve students at Cathedral Prep, where Harris taught. The school has since closed. SNAP is the nation’s largest and oldest support group for clergy molestation victims. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/nyregion/15harris.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Contact: |
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Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests www.snapnetwork.org | ||