SNAP
Press Release


 

BACK TO:

Roster of Press Releases

 

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims

For immediate release:
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Predatory minister is suspended; sex abuse victims announce

Predatory minister is suspended; sex abuse victims announce

After 2 years, church determines he molested a young girl

Signed verdict includes finding that pastor obtained tattoo on his buttocks with victim’s initials

He’s also just resigned as divinity school admissions director

Despite a $100,000 payment to victim, he remained a pastor for months

But self-help group now wants his former congregants to know he’s guilty

SNAP urges others who saw, suspected or suffered his misdeeds to come forward

WHAT

At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will announce that

- a formal church trial about a child molesting clergyman has ended,

- he’s been deemed guilty on all counts and is now suspended, and

- he’s also resigned his position at a local divinity school.

They will also urge others who may have seen, suspected or suffered misdeeds by the predator to contact law enforcement, speak up and get help.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 13, 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: On the sidewalk in front of the Presbyterian headquarters (‘presbytery’), 100 S Morgan (by Monroe Street)

WHO: A 37 year old Minnesota woman, her relatives, and several members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including the organization's founder and president

VISUALS:
The group will provide copies of legal letters/documents, a photo of predator and childhood photo of victim

WHY: After a two year process, an ecclesiastical trial has found a Chicago minister, Rev. Ron M. Campbell, guilty of molesting a girl in the late 1980s. (He’s the former pastor of the Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church.) The verdict includes a statement regarding the tattoo Campbell has on his buttocks with the victim’s initials inside a heart.

In July 2007 officials with the Chicago regional Presbyterian office paid Julie Hokanson $100,000 because of the childhood sexual abuse she suffered from Campbell. Yet for months, Campbell was still allowed to work as a pastor.

SNAP now wants church officials to notify Campbell’s former congregants of the verdict.

The crimes took place in 1984 -1988 at the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest in River Forest beginning when the victim was 14 years old. She met Campbell through membership at his church.

Top Presbytery officials include Rev. Robert C Reynolds (Executive Presbyter), Presbytery of Chicago, 100 South Morgan, Chicago, 312-243-8300, Rev. Barbara Bundick (Stated Clerk), 10412 Lucas Rd, Woodstock, (815) 337-9068.

Campell’s attorney is James Betke (now retired), a session member of First Presbyterian Church of River Forest during the time the abuse took place, home: 530 N. East Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302. 708-386-5603

Copies of the church’s final “Signed Verdict" & other documents will be provided:

Rev. Campbell worked as the Director of Admissions for Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Trinity Graduate School in Deerfield, IL until as late as last week.

Hokanson is married, has 3 children and works as an appraiser in a MN suburb.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/03_04/2008_04_23_Lee_ChurchCourt.htm

CONTACT
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP National President (312) 399 4747 cell
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566 9790 cell

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org