11 Alive
March 10, 2010
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=141639&catid=3
 |
| Father Robert Poandl (Image Courtesy: Glenmary Home Missioners) |
ATLANTA -- An activist group is calling on the Archdiocese of Atlanta to reach out to area Catholics who may be the victims of sexual abuse. In February, Father Robert Poandl was indicted on charges of sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in West Virginia in 1991.
Until a year ago, he was a pastor in the Savannah Archdiocese in South Georgia. During the1980s he Pastored two North Georgia churches, one in Dahlonega and one in Blairsville.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) believes there may be more sexual abuse victims in Georgia.
"We just feel like, especially in a small communities they're more afraid to come and speak up. They're worried about what others might think of them," said Judy Jones of SNAP. "It wasn't their fault if they were harmed by this priest. It wasn't their fault. They need to come forward. They need to contact the police."
Father Poandl has pleaded "not guilty" to charges of sexual abuse in West Virginia.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.