BishopAccountability.org

Retired priest investigated for watching suspected child porn

By Rachel Menitoff
KSDK5
August 27, 2018

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/retired-priest-investigated-for-watching-suspected-child-porn/63-588019217

[with video]

An investigation is underway after a retired priest was discovered watching what might have been child pornography, the Archdiocese of St. Louis said Monday.

The archdiocese was notified about the incident on Friday, Aug. 24 and reported the incident to police.

Investigators confiscated the retired priest’s computer.

Officials have not released the man’s name.

The archdiocese said it is fully cooperating with authorities in this case.

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It is urging anyone with information about abuse involving a member of the clergy or other church personnel to contact the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-3738 and local law enforcement officials.

"Our goal is to bring about healing,” said Sandra Price, the Executive Director for the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Her office responds to calls from anyone who has been abused.

Price told 5 on Your Side that if she gets a call reporting current child abuse, she refers that caller to the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline and local police.

If the caller is talking about something that happened many years ago, "We do a lot of interviewing,” Price explained. “We do a lot of fact-checking and all of the information is compiled and reviewed by our Archdiocese Review Board, who will then make a recommendation to the Arch Bishop about what should be done."

Finally, Price said she oversees the healing process. She said one thing that she hopes will bring some sense of relief for victims is the Attorney General’s statewide investigation of alleged sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. Price said it is important that the Archdiocese is an open book.

"There are no priests in active ministry right now with substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse,” said Price. “We have to continue to say that, and we have to do everything in our power to reassure people that that is the case."

The incident was reported just a day after the Archdiocese of St. Louis voluntarily opened its records for an investigation into the church’s handling of sexual abuse accusations against clergy members.

The decision came after a grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania found more than 300 “predator priests” in six Roman Catholic dioceses across Pennsylvania were protected by church leaders, who were more interested in safeguarding the church and the abusers than tending to their victims.




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