Texas Catholic priest arrested on multiple child sex charges; SNAP urges Church outreach
Texas Catholic priest arrested on multiple child sex charges; SNAP urges Church outreach
For Immediate Release, February 15, 2024
A Catholic priest in Brownsville, Texas, has been arrested for multiple sex crimes against a child. The accusations include continuous sexual abuse of a child, continuous trafficking of persons, sexual assault of a child, and sexual performance of a child. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, wants the local bishop to reach out to and encourage any other victims and witnesses, as well as those may have suspected criminal behavior, to come forward to law enforcement.
Fr. Fernando Gonzalez Ortega was removed from active ministry by Bishop Daniel E. Flores on February 3rd, 2024, just one day after the accusations were reported to the Diocese. While we are grateful for the Bishop’s prompt action, we believe he should and could have done more. Specifically, he should have shared the priest’s most recent assignment, as well as his complete history in the Diocese, in his statement. The Bishop also should and could go to each and every location within his Diocese where Fr. Ortega worked and beg the people there who might know something about the charges to contact the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the crimes.
The District Attorney’s Offices identified Fr. Ortega’s most recent parish as St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Brownsville. Given what we know about child sex crimes, and considering that the victim in this case is now an adult, we cannot help but wonder if there are others out there sitting alone in pain and in silence. At age 52, it seems likely that Fr. Ortega has had a long career in the Brownville Diocese. We have seen time and time again that abusers seek opportunities to perpetrate their crimes in trusting faith communities. We cannot help but wonder if Fr. Ortega joined the priesthood to gain access to children. Only 1 in 9 cases of child sexual abuse is reported while the abuse is ongoing, so there is a clear need for Bishop Flores to initiate outreach. People who may be reluctant to come forward may do so if encouraged by a high-ranking Church official.
By our count, this is the 4thth arrest of a Catholic cleric or employee this year, which makes two things absolutely plain. First, the clergy abuse scandal is neither over nor a thing of the past, as Catholic officials are wont to say frequently. Second, internal controls and policies do not do enough to prevent dangerous men from becoming clerics, and cannot stop those men from abusing others with their newfound power. Clearly there is a need for a complete overhaul of how the Church handles the problem of sexual abuse.
We believe this starts with complete transparency being forced on these institutions by outside, secular investigations, and by allowing time-barred victims to have their day in court. Parishes, Catholic schools, and even society will become safer with these actions.
CONTACT: Eduardo Lopez de Casa, SNAP Board of Directors, SNAP Houston ([email protected], 832-641-6319); Patti Koo, SNAP San Antonio ([email protected] 956-648-7385); Zac Zepeda, SNAP San Antonio ([email protected] 210-317-7511); Paul Petersen, SNAP Board of Directors, SNAP Dallas ([email protected], 972-569-0995); Mike McDonnell, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 267-261-0578), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board of Directors President ([email protected], 814- 341-8386)
###
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
Showing 1 comment