Clergy Sex Abuse Victims Blast Archbishop

Omaha Catholic Official “Flat Out Lies” Group Says

He Claims Priest Left For Alleged Health Reasons

Then, Weeks Later, Prelate Admits It Was Sex Charges

Support Group Urges Parishioners to “Donate Elsewhere”

“Don’t Let Your Shepherd Endanger The Flock,” Self Help Organization Says

What:
Holding signs & childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will blast Omaha Catholic church officials for:
--- lying about a recently suspended predator priest, and
--- keeping silent for years about allegations against another predator priest.

The group will also urge top church staff to aggressively reach out, using church websites, newspapers, bulletins and pulpit announcements, to anyone who may have:
-- been molested by either priest (one of whom faces pending criminal charges), and/or
-- seen or suspected sex crimes or inappropriate behavior by the clerics

When:
Tuesday, April 5, 2:30 p.m.

Where:
Outside the Omaha Catholic headquarters (chancery office) 100 N. 62nd Street (402-558-3100) in Omaha

Who:
Two-three adults who were molested as kids by Catholic priests (including a California man who is a leader in SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the nation's largest support group for clergy sex abuse victims – SNAPnetwork.org)

Details:
Weeks ago, Omaha Archbishop George Lucas led St. Gerald’s parishioners to believe that Fr. Perry Robinson had been put “on sabbatical,” because of Robinson's age and his health. Weeks later, however, Lucas was forced to admit that credible child sex abuse allegations were the real cause of Robinson’s leaving.

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Archdiocese_Statement_on_Removed_Priest_118241919.html?ref=919

Astonishingly, Lucas defended his deception, claiming that “the archdiocese was abiding by Church teaching that asserts every individual has a right to a good name and reputation. To share the purpose of Father Robinson’s departure while the allegations had yet to be substantiated would have been a break from Church practice."

SNAP is appalled by Lucas’ deceit and is urging Omaha Catholics to donate elsewhere until Lucas admits he lied, apologizes and pledges to never do so again.

SNAP is also upset about a second former Omaha area cleric, Fr. James Fiala, who faces allegations that he molested a child in 2007-08 and tried, last year, to hire a hit man to kill one of his victims.

One year ago, Omaha church officials announced that they knew in 2002 that Fiala had made sexual advances toward a child in mid-1980s. SNAP is upset that the archdiocese withheld this information for so long. The group wants Lucas to work harder to find and help others who may have seen, suspected or suffered Fiala’s crimes.

Fiala was ordained in Omaha and worked for the church in MO, KS, and TX. Robinson also worked in WI.

Contact: Tim Lennon 415 312 5820, David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, [email protected], Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Director 314 862 7688, [email protected]