Sex abuse victims & Catholics raise questions about priest

He was charged with loitering during sting operation at rest stop

"Parishioners and public deserve straight answers," SNAP says

Group also wants a different priest, suspended for abuse, moved & monitored

Organization blasts Trenton diocese for "feigning powerlessness" over employee

WHAT
At a news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and Catholics will urge Trenton Catholic officials to

--'come clean' about a priest who was charged this year with loitering at a highway rest stop sting operation targeting lewdness & anonymous sex,
-- disclose any other alleged sex crimes by diocesan employees, and
-- force a different priest, suspended for alleged pedophilia, into a treatment center

They will also hand out 9 pages of supporting documents including the tickets, e mails from concerned parishioners, and one from a high ranking diocesan official.

WHEN
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 12:30 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the Trenton Catholic Diocese headquarters, 701 Lawrenceville Road (Route 206) in Lawrence Township - Map

WHO
Three-four Catholics and clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a California woman who is the organization's southwestern regional director

VISUALS
The group will hold signs, childhood photos and pictures of both priests.

WHY
On March 13, 2008, Fr. Joselito ('Joe') M. Noche was stopped and questioned by state troopers at a Garden State Parkway rest stop where several undercover stings have been held because of anonymous sexual encounters there. (It's exit 98 in Wall.) Noche was given two tickets: one for loitering and one for parking in a handicap parking space.

Police say he spent two hours at the location. Noche claims he was waiting for another person. However, when police phoned that individual, he denied having plans to meet Noche.

In April, at a hearing in Wall Municipal Court, Noche pleaded guilty to parking in a handicapped spot. The loitering charge was dismissed. (The statute number for that one was 19:9-1.13). Noche paid $289 (a fine of $256 & court costs of $33). He was represented by attorney Robert Blasi (732 449 1965, 973 621 7171).

Noche is 'parochial vicar' at St. Catherine's Parish in Spring Lake, just two miles away from the rest stop. (He heads the altar boy program there. A parochial school is attached to the parish.)
http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/church/parishlistings_detail.asp?parishid=75

At least one St. Catherine parishioner reports that, without notifying parents, Noche has been 'taking students from class in small groups during school to learn about "being an altar server." He reportedly told kids to hold the chalice "like you would hold a martini glass."

Parishioners have asked the church to explain Noche's action but have only been told to stop gossiping.

SNAP believes Trenton Bishop John Smith owes an explanation to his flock, given the church's horrific history of concealing clergy sex crimes and given bishops' repeated pledges to be more 'open and transparent' about such issues.
SNAP is also concerned about Fr. Terence O. McAlinden, who was suspended in September 2007 from St. Theresa's parish on Radio Road, because of credible child sex abuse allegations. The priest moved into a home next to the rectory he was suspended from (in Little Egg Harbor Township). He still lives there.
Three months ago, church officials said, in an e mail, they "have no control over (McAlinden's) activities or where he lives." SNAP leaders think the bishop is being disingenuous and callous, since the bishop still pays McAlinden andcould, and should, order the priest into a treatment center (or at the very least, move away from the parish where some victims may still feel threatened by him ).

Noche, now 44, was ordained a priest in 2007. He's a former anesthesiologist. McAlinden is in his 60s.
http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/department/news_detail.asp?newsid=1680&fontsize=16

CONTACT
Mark Crawford of Woodbridge Township, NJ SNAP Director 732 632 7687 cell
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790
Joelle Castiex, SNAP western regional director 949 322 7434