Longtime leader of clergy victims group leaves as SNAP faces lawsuit

A fixture in the organization working for children sexually abused by Catholic priests has resigned his post, an announcement that coincides with a lawsuit from a former employee alleging the group colluded with lawyers to refer clients and profit from settlements.
David Clohessy, longtime executive director of SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said Tuesday (Jan. 24) that he left in December and his departure had nothing to do with the lawsuit, which was filed in Illinois on Jan. 17.

http://religionnews.com/2017/01/24/longtime-leader-of-clergy-victims-group-leaves-as-snap-faces-lawsuit/ 

Archdiocese Tried to Cover Up Sexual Abuse Within the Church

Catholic insider Tim Rohr says he was called to a meeting back in 2010 in which he was asked to read a statement that would discredit individuals who were trying to uncover sexual abuse within the Church. Guam - The accusations continue for the Archdiocese of Agana. They are now being accused of covering up sexual abuse at the church and trying to discredit those who attempted to uncover it.

The allegations resurfaced today as a result of a press release issued by SNAP or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. In it, SNAP Director David Clohessy brings to light a meeting that took place back in 2010 in which Catholic insider Tim Rohr was allegedly asked to cover up sexual abuse allegations. We spoke with Rohr about this meeting.

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/5672 

Germany--Victims applaud move against Bishop of Bling

A German diocese will file a €3.9m claim for damages in a Vatican court against the so-called “Bishop of Bling.” We applaud this move. We hope a similar case can and will be filed in secular court too. It’s progress any time anyone takes steps that might help deter callous, selfish acts by Catholic bishops who act like kings.
Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst once headed the Diocese of Limburg. He resigned in 2013 after having spent more than €31m on redecorating his home. But he now works for the Vatican, which is an outrage. When will Catholic officials stop coddling and promoting their irresponsible colleagues?

http://www.snapnetwork.org/germany_victims_applaud_move_against_bishop_of_bling 

SNAP calls on church to seek out victims of priest who worked in Milo, Council Bluffs and Logan

An Iowa spokesman for a group that helps survivors of abused by priests says a Catholic priest who was publicly identified in Minnesota as a “credibly accused” child molester also worked in three Iowa towns. Father Paul Kabat worked in Milo from 1995 to 1998, Council Bluffs from 1992 to 1995 and Logan from 1985 to 1992.

Steve Thiesen of Hudson is the Iowa director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP. Thiesen says they would now like the bishops in the parishes to reach out to each of the parishes in Iowa where Kabat was stationed to see if there are other people who were abused. “And have any of them come forward, report it to law enforcement, it’s up to the victim if they want to report it to the diocese,” Thiesen says. He says the bishops need to work with any victims and “get that victim healed.”

http://www.radioiowa.com/2015/07/13/snap-calls-on-church-to-seek-out-victims-of-priest-who-worked-in-milo-council-bluffs-and-logan/ 

Let’s remember just how awful these crimes are

Two notorious serial predator priests have been back in the news recently. Both assaulted dozens of kids. Both were shielded, for decades, by complicit colleagues and supervisors. Their horrific crimes, though they took place years ago, should not go unnoticed.
1.One of Iowa’s most notorious child molesting clerics, Fr. James M. Janssen, has passed away. He reportedly abusing many boys, often along with other pedophile priests Fr. Francis Bass, Fr. Theodore Anthony Geerts, and Fr. James W. Murphy, and of pimping his victims to Bass, Murphy and Fr. William Wiebler.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/_let_s_remember_just_how_awful_these_crimes_are 

Catholic Priest Claims SNAP Defamed Him

A Catholic priest accused of sexual misconduct with minors sued an accuser's parents, claiming they targeted him for mentary gain because of his race, and the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, claiming the group defamed him.
The Rev. Xiu Hui "Joseph" Jiang sued St. Louis, two city police officers, the parents A.M. and N.M., the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests and SNAP leaders David Clohessy and Barbara Dorris in Federal Court.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/07/01/catholic-priest-claims-snap-defamed-him.htm 

MA--Victims want Catholics to do more re 3 predators

Robert E. Kelley, Lowe B. Dongor and Gerard L. Branconnier are no longer priests. Worcester Bishop Robert McManus should use his vast resources to aggressively seek out and help others who are suffering because they were sexually violated as kids by these pedophiles.  And he should defrock, demote, discipline and denounce current and former church staffers who ignored or concealed their crimes.
Kelley was twice convicted of molesting kids, served two prison terms and is a registered sex offender. He worked at churches in Southbridge, Lunenburg, Leominster, and Gardner.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ma_victims_want_catholics_to_do_more_re_3_predators 

MI-- Abusive Catholic teacher pleads guilty

Katheryn Ronk taught – and abused – at Bishop Foley High School in the Oakland County city of Madison Heights. She also faced charges in Macomb County, where some of her crimes took place.
All too often, child molesters are prosecuted in several jurisdictions but after one guilty plea, the other charges are dropped. This saves time for law enforcement officials but means that predators get out of prison sooner and can hurt more kids. We’re glad this didn’t happen with Ronk.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mi_abusive_catholic_teacher_pleads_guilty 

'SNAP' members call for more action against clergy sex crimes from Catholic Church

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is calling for more action against clergy sex crimes from the Catholic Church.
The director of SNAP handed out leaflets to parishioners after Wednesday's noon Mass at the Cathedral. The leaflets are intended to encourage anyone who saw or suspected clergy sex crimes or cover-ups in the Savannah area to step forward.

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/28877267/snap-members-call-for-more-action-against-clergy-sex-crimes-from-catholic-church 

Should a victim pay for the sex offender’s attorney? - NO

A couple of years ago, I had the distinct honor of meeting an individual who has literally committed his life to serving the abused and exposing the abusers.  David Clohessy is the executive director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) and has been an influential force in confronting the horrors of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and other faith communities.
He recently contacted me about a very disturbing situation coming out of a civil lawsuit in West Virginia involving a convicted sex offender.  We all need to take a minute to become informed about this disturbing case so that we can use our collective voices to bring an end to such judicial decisions that further traumatize victims. – Boz 

http://boz.religionnews.com/2015/04/17/victim-pay-sex-offenders-attorney/ 

Victims hope Catholic abuse case goes to trial

We are glad that an ex-employee is suing the Baltimore archdiocese and we hope the case goes to trial so that parents and the public learn more about child sex abuse allegations at a Catholic school.
Frankly, we suspect that Annette Goodman is telling the truth and that Catholic officials are trying to cover their behinds here. We urge top staff at Archbishop Curley High School and the Baltimore archdiocese to honor their pledges of “openness” in child sex cases and be more forthcoming about the child sex abuse accusations at the school and how they were handled.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/md_victims_hope_catholic_abuse_case_goes_to_trial 

MN--Notorious MN predator priest defrocked

Father Curtis Wehmeyer has apparently been defrocked by the Vatican. The recklessness and callousness shown by Twin Cities Catholic officials in this case is among the most egregious that we've seen in the past decade.   
This move is a decades-late drop in the bucket. When church officials defrock predator priests, it's less about safeguarding kids. It's more about church damage control. Still, we are grateful that Wehmeyer has been ousted from the priesthood. Without that Roman collar and the respect that accompanies it, he will find it a bit harder to win the trust of parents, gain access to kids, and sexually assault them after he is released from prison.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_notorious_mn_predator_wehmeyer 

ME--Victims beg others to come forward on trial’s eve

Soon a cleric accused of child sex crimes will go on trial, and it’s never too late for those who saw, suspected or suffered his wrongdoing to step forward. We hope more victims, witnesses and whistleblowers will find the courage to call law enforcement about Adam Metropoulos of Bangor.
All too often, when one family summons the strength to call police about a predator, others with helpful information stay silent, assuming that prosecutors will prevail and the criminal will be convicted. That’s irresponsible. It’s the duty of every adult to do what he or she can to safeguard kids. And it’s the duty of every citizen to share what they know or suspect about child sex crimes to law enforcement.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/me_victims_beg_others_to_come_forward_on_trial_s_eve 

2 groups release names of 8 priests who allegedly committed crimes against minors

Members of Call to Action Central Illinois and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests have released the names of eight priests who were believed to be transferred to the Springfield Catholic diocese and have allegedly committed predatory crimes against minors.
Members of both groups revealed the names of the alleged individuals during a press conference in Springfield Wednesday afternoon. SNAP Director David Clohessy and Call to Action Central Illinois spokesperson John Freml were in attendance.

http://reform-network.net/?p=23544