Another Priest Faces Criminal Charges

Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
November 18, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_another_priest_faces_criminal_charges

[Pioneer Press]

We are glad Father Mark Huberty faces criminal charges for sexually exploiting a parishioner. It’s virtually always hurtful – and often illegal – for clerics to have any sexual contact with a congregant.

If a criminal embezzles from a bank, no one talks about their “financial relationship.” So no one should ever talk about “a relationship” between a predatory priest and a parishioner. It’s a crime. It should be treated and described as a crime. It should not be minimized or mischaracterized by words or phrases that suggest consent when no genuine consent is possible.

We hope every single person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes – by Fr. Huberty or others, as adults or as children – will speak up. Keeping quiet only helps predators and endangers others.