BishopAccountability.org

Mo- Explosive New Clergy Abuse & Cover up Suit Filed

By David Clohessy
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
July 17, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/explosive_new_clergy_abuse_cover_up_suit_filed

Explosive new clergy abuse & cover up suit filed

It charges that St. Louis archbishop broke the law

Carlson was allegedly “closely supervising” arrested molester

And he asked victim’s parents to give him priest’s $20,000 check

One person witnessed cleric kissing girl & touching her, suit charges

What

Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will disclose an “explosive” new civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit that has been filed against St. Louis’ Catholic archbishop. The suit involves recent and repeated alleged child sex crimes by a priest who has been arrested. It charges that the archbishop

-- “knew (the priest) was dangerous to children before (a girl) was abused,”

-- asked the alleged victim’s parents for a $20,000 check the priest had given them,

--“committed the criminal offense of attempted tampering with evidence,” and

-- has lived with the accused priest (and was in the same diocese with him twice: Saginaw MI & St. Louis).

They will also prod

--anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered the priest’s crimes to contact law enforcement immediately, and

--parishioners and the public to keep open minds and avoid taking actions and making comments that might discourage any other victims, witnesses or whistleblowers from stepping forward.

When

TODAY, Wednesday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Where

On the sidewalk outside the home of St. Louis’ Catholic archbishop, 4510 Lindell (at Taylor) in the CWE

Who

Three-four victims of clergy sex crimes who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a St. Louis woman who is the organization’s long time outreach director

Why

The suit charges that while “under the direct supervision of (Archbishop Robert Carlson) and living in the archbishop’s home,” Fr. Xiu Hui ‘Joseph’ Jiang “sexually, physically and emotionally abused” a girl and that Carlson “knew he was dangerous to children before (the girl) was abused.” Fr. Jiang reportedly admitted the abuse to the girl’s parents and Carlson.

The day after Fr. Jiang’s admissions, Fr. Jiang allegedly put a $20,000 check on the parents’ vehicle windshield. Hours later, Carlson called the girl’s mom and “suggested that the parents return to him the check” from Fr. Jiang. (The parents, however, gave it to police.)

Carlson was “supervising Fr. Jiang very closely” yet “Fr. Jiang was allowed unlimited access to (the girl),” according to the suit, in part because Fr. Jiang “worked to build the (parents’) trust” and “regularly visited their home.”

According to the suit, Fr. Jiang met the girl when she was 15, “was quickly drawn” to her and “became very affectionate with (her).” Jiang “directed” her to “set up a secret email account” and “sent her (inappropriate) texts and emails.” He also reportedly “used Scripture to convince” the girl “that the contact was acceptable.”

“A witness saw Jiang kissing (the girl) and touching her buttocks in the rectory parking lot,” the suit maintains.

In 1983, Carlson was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Later, Jiang went to seminary in that archdiocese. In 2004, Carlson was promoted to Saginaw’s bishop and brought Jiang with him. In 2009, Carlson was promoted to St. Louis’ archbishop and again brought Jiang with him. In May 2010 at the Cathedral on Lindell, Carlson ordained Fr. Jiang was ordained a priest. (Before that, Jiang was a deacon at the Cathedral.) According to the suit, “Fr. Jiang lived in (Carlson’s) private residence in St. Louis and maintained a bedroom a few doors down from (Carlson’s).” He also had a room at the Cathedral rectory.

Fr. Jiang’s criminal trial has been delayed four times. It is now scheduled for October. It was to take place in Lincoln County but has been moved to Pike County. (Fr. Jiang sought a change of venue.)

This week, Carlson and one of his top aides – Deacon Philip R. Hengen (314 432 1665, 314 792 7704, philhengen@sbcglobal.net) – were to be deposed in the criminal case. Carlson requested and received a postponement.

Yesterday, SNAP urged Carlson to punish the layman who organized and a pastor who approved a prayer service originally scheduled for last night at the Cathedral for the “defense and exoneration” of Fr. Jiang. Archdiocesan staff cancelled it when asked about the event by a reporter.

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/07/joseph_jiang_prayer_archdiocese_molestation.php

SNAP has repeatedly asked Carlson to teach his flock about how to act appropriately when child sex charges surface, in ways that do not intimidate victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to speak up.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/when_priest_accused.htm

The prosecutors are Casey Brooks and Leah Askey (636 528 8571). Fr. Jiang’s lawyer is Paul D’Agrosa (314 725 8019, Paul@wolffdagrosa.com).

Fr. Jiang is in his late 20s to early 30s and a native of China. A photo of Fr. Jiang is available at BishopAccountability.org or http://stlouisreview.com/article/2010-05-18/introducing-our-new-0

The 14 page suit was apparently filed last Friday (July 12) in Lincoln County where some of the alleged crimes took place. Plaintiffs include the girl and her parents. Their attorneys are Ken Chackes (314 369 3902, kchackes@cch-law.com) and Nicole Gorovsky (314 872 8420, ngorovsky@cch-law.com).

Contact: SNAPclohessy@aol.com




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