Statement by Mary Grant of Long Beach,
SNAP Western Regional Director (626) 419-2930

Vulnerable adults and innocent children will be safer because of prosecutors’ persistence to seek justice for Wempe’s crimes and this jury’s wise decision.

We hope that the victims and their families feel some indication and peace with this action.

We are convinced that others who experienced, suspected or witnessed sex crimes by this cunning predator are still suffering in silence. We hope the courage of these victims will inspire them to break their silence too, come forward and get the help they need and deserve.

We desperately hope that church officials and their high priced lawyers will finally stop demonizing this innocent young man and his brothers and join us in reaching out with compassion and sensitivity to others hurt by this dangerous man.

We also hope that Wempe will now search his conscience and disclose to the police, prosecutors and the public what he knows about Mahony and church officials’ cover ups of sex crimes in the church.

Sadly, some view jailing molesters as vengeance. Most see it as prudent. We see it as crucial, if more pain is to be avoided. It's the only way to ensure that predators don't rape others.

We hope that the judge will lock up Wempe for a long time. That's the only way to ensure that he doesn't molest another innocent child or vulnerable adult.

There is no magic age at which child molesters suddenly become "cured." So the only prudent assumption is that he's still a danger to others.

CONTACT:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566-9790
Mary Grant of Long Beach CA, SNAP Board Member (626) 419 2930