Victim Support Group Urges Evansville Catholic Diocese to Release Names

By Noah Stubbs
Evansville Courier & Press
January 16, 2019

https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2019/01/16/victim-support-group-urges-evansville-catholic-diocese-release-names/2594785002/

It's been four months since Bishop Joseph M. Siegel announced the Catholic Diocese of Evansville will collect and release the names of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.

But that's too long for a group protesting in front of the Diocese's administration building Wednesday afternoon.

Four members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) pleaded in front of the building's sign for the bishop to release the names.

The organization is a nationwide nonprofit support group for men and women who have been abused by religious and institutional authorities.

The group appealed for sexual abuse victims to come forward and get help.

"To anyone who has been affected by this: come forward, get help and start healing," SNAP volunteer David Clohessy said. "The pain is never totally gone, but you can get better."

The members also asked Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to open up a statewide investigation into priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

Moments before the news conference, a statement released from the diocese said the inspection and review of clergy records is ongoing, and the release of names will occur within the next several weeks.

Larry Antonsen, from left, David Clohessy and Cal Pfeiffer, all volunteers with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), share their abuse stories as local supporter Ken Meyer of New Harmony, Ind., looks on during a small press conference held outside of the Evansville Catholic Diocese headquarters in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. They are urging Evansville Bishop Joseph M. Siegel to immediately release the names of any priest who has been "credibly accused" of sexual abuse before, during or after their time serving in Evansville. (Photo: SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS)

"Why won't (Bishop Siegel) release the names today?" Clohessy asked upon hearing the diocese's statement. "He and his predecessors have had decades to do this"

"In 2002, when bishops signed the (Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,) they promised to be transparent about child sex abuse. They didn't say we were going to be transparent in February 2019."

In September, "The Message" — the diocese's community newspaper — reported the names had already been listed in previous editions of the publication through the years.

The report came after an Evansville Diocese priest was put on administrative leave after the diocese received a report of sexual misconduct.

Father David Fleck denies the claim of sexual misconduct reportedly happening decades ago, according to the statement from the diocese.

Fleck, 69, served in a number of schools and parishes throughout the diocese, including Mater Dei High School and Vincennes' Rivet High School.

Diocese spokesman Tim Lilley said the church reported the information it received to the Knox County prosecutor and State of Indiana’s Child Protective Services hotline. The diocese also initiated its own internal investigation.

Multiple messages for the Knox County prosecutor for comment were not returned.

Lilley said the diocese investigation into Fleck is ongoing.

"Father Fleck remains prohibited from all public ministry," Lilley said.