CA - Judge Rules against Predator Priest, SNAP Responds

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
July 3, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ca_judge_rules_against_predator_priest_snap_responds

We are grateful that a judge ruled today against a predator priest who claimed his abuse admission should not be heard as evidence in a criminal case.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Eugene L. Balonon today rejected a motion by Fr. Uriel Ojeda that Ojeda’s acknowledgement of heinous crimes should be kept from jurors.

Time and time again, child molesting clerics admit their crimes to colleagues or police, then later claim they were coerced or that their admissions should be kept secret. Time and time again, Catholic officials abuse the ‘priest-penitent privilege’ to hide their hurtful deeds.

We are glad this judge didn’t buy the spurious claim that Fr. Ojeda expected his admission of child sex crimes should be kept private.

Still, no one should be complacent. Complacency protects no one. Only vigilance and courage protects kids.

So anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Fr. Ojeda’s crimes must speak up. Every single person who has knowledge or suspicions of Fr. Ojeda’s misdeeds has a moral and civic duty to call police and prosecutors today, so that he might be convicted and children might be safeguarded.

Contact: SNAPclohessy@aol.com