The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
SNAP
Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Mother of clergy abuse victim urging Morlino to stop predator priest book tour
Mother of clergy abuse victim urging Morlino to stop predator priest book tourVictims to flyer Janesville congregation Sunday where priest offender is having a book signing
Priest attacks in book 3 victims, 7 witnesses who reported abuse
Civil jury, canon law tribunal and lay review board has ruled priest sexually molested youngsters
WHAT
Nancy Arnold, a mother of a boy sexually assaulted by Fr. Gerald Vosen at St. John Vianney parish in Janesville, will join victims of childhood sexual abuse by clergy to flyer parishioners Sunday. They will be urging congregants to contact Bishop Robert Morlino to stop Vosen’s book and publicity tour. Vosen was removed from ministry by the Vatican for child abuse. He will be holding a book signing after masses on Sunday a block from the church.
WHERE
St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1250 Racine Street, Janesville
WHEN
Sunday, Nov. 9. Flyering will begin at approximately 10:30-10:45 a.m., after the 9:45 service
WHO
Nancy Arnold, a mother of a childhood victim of sexual abuse by Fr. Gerald Vosen of the Madison diocese and Wisconsin members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), the nation’s largest and oldest self-help organization of clergy sexual abuse survivors.
WHY
Nancy Arnold, whose son was sexually assaulted by Fr. Gerald Vosen in Janesville and who is a member of St. John Vianney parish is speaking out for the first time about the recently published book and publicity tour being conducted in the diocese of Madison by Vosen. Vosen attacks the Arnold family, along with two other victims and at least seven witnesses who have come forward to the diocese reporting that he sexually molested minors.
Two weeks ago, in a letter to Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, the nation’s largest self-help organization of clergy sexual abuse survivors urged a swift response by the diocese against Vosen’s book and tour. By publically presenting himself as a priest, Vosen is in direct violation of a Vatican suspension.
Three times Vosen has been found guilty of the sex crimes against minors. First, by a Madison diocesan lay review board, then by a civil jury in Janesville, and most recently a canon law trial of priest peers.
Arnold and survivors want parishioners of St. Joseph to urge Morlino to release Vosen’s file, defend and support victims and their families, and publically sanction Vosen.
Morlino, says Arnold, should preach at parishes where Vosen was assigned to make clear that he cannot function as a priest and will not be permitted to either intimidate or profit from his sex crimes against her child or any other youngster.
CONTACT
Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director, 414.429.7259
John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin, 414.336.8575
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org