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SNAP Calls for Sioux City Diocese to Amend List of Credibly Accused Sexual Abusive Priests

By Cynthia Monroy
Sioux Land News
May 23, 2019

https://siouxlandnews.com/news/local/snap-calls-for-sioux-city-diocese-to-amend-list-of-credibly-accused-sexual-abusive-priests

More than 100 dioceses across the country have released lists of clergy members accused of sexual abuse including here in Sioux City.

“What happened to me is horrific and damaging,” said Tim Lennon, President of SNAP.

At 12-years-old, Tim Lennon was sexually abused by a priest in Sioux City.

He was one of more than 100 victims that Diocese of Sioux City determined to have a credible allegation.

“I was raped and abused when I was 12 now I'm 72 and every day that I wake up, it's there,” said Lennon.

Now, as President of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests known as SNAP, he's calling for further action to get justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

“Our mission is to support survivors and protect children. The great amount of fire anger that I feel that happened to me keeps me going everyday what happened to me shouldn’t happen to another kid,” said Lennon.

In February, the Diocese of Sioux City released the names of 28 priests credibly accused of sexual abuse with the first case in 1948.

"We see no solution in the church the only reason they released names is because they were compelled to by Pennsylvania and Illinois investigations,” said Lennon.

SNAP is now asking church officials at the Sioux City Diocese to update their list of accused priests to include former Bishop Soens, nuns, and any other abusive church staff.

“They need to decide what kind of church they want and I would say one that there is zero tolerance, one that there is full disclosure and removal of all those that have sexually abused children,” said Lennon.

On Wednesday, SNAP leaders and Iowa Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen called for a reform at the State Capitol; regarding laws of statue of limitations for survivors to file criminal charges and lawsuits.

“Were asking for the state of Iowa step up and enact laws to protect the community and vigorously prosecute and to have the Attorney General to do his job and investigate an institution where hundreds of predators have abused maybe a thousand children in our state,” said Lennon.

Years later after his traumatic experience Lennon hopes to shine light for other victims to come forward and for the Catholic Diocese to make a change.

The Sioux City Diocese says Soens is included on the list of abusive priests in the Diocese of Davenport, where the incidents occurred.

In a statement to Siouxland News, the Diocese of Sioux City said:

The Diocese of Sioux City is committed to the protection of our youth and accountability for clergy and church leaders. The diocesan independent review board has worked diligently to review all allegations of priests – including deacons and religious order priests – who have been credibly accused of abuse of a minor while serving in the Diocese of Sioux City. Bishop Emeritus Soens was accused of abuse while serving in the Diocese of Davenport, and he is included on their list which was published years ago. Any allegation brought against a brother or nun is referred to their individual religious order for review and action. We take accusations seriously and urge any person with information on a case of abuse to contact their local police department immediately, and then alert our victim’s assistance coordinator. We will continue to update our list as appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 




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