SNAP Demands Evansville Diocese Release Names of Accused Priests

Evansville
January 16, 2019

https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/snap-to-demand-evansville-diocese-release-list-of-accused-priests/1706236632

The catholic church of Evansville says a list of accused priests is coming, but it's not soon enough for a small group protesting Wednesday.

The group is demanding Bishop Joseph Siegel unveil names of priests facing sexual abuse allegations.

Not only does the group want names to be revealed, they also want Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to open an investigation.

Four men representing SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, stood in front of the Evansville diocese office tonight.

Last year, the Evansville Catholic Diocese announced a project to collect the names of local priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse over the decades and then make it public.

SNAP says it has been long enough and is now demanding the release of that list.

“Why won't he release the names today?” asks David Clohessy. “He and his predecessors have literally had decades to do this.”

Evansville has one priest on administrative leave. He faces allegations of sexual abuse.

The group also wants to ensure Bishop Siegel includes the work histories, photos, and current whereabouts of the accused.

As recently as last month, the diocese announced its inspection of clergy records dating back to 1944 is ongoing with the results expected to be made public in the first few months of the year.

The diocese released this statement Wednesday:

"As publicly announced on Dec. 12, 2018, the thorough inspection and review of clergy records dating from the Diocese of Evansville’s founding in 1944 continues. Once this process is completed, the diocese will publicly release the list of names of priests with credible allegations of abuse of minors, and post it to the diocesan website and the website of the diocesan weekly newspaper, The Message. That release will occur within the next several weeks.

There will be no further comment at this time."

The Owensboro Diocese, covering all of Western Kentucky, says it is still compiling its list. A spokesperson said they do not have an estimate on when it will be released.