WISCONSIN
SNAP Wisconsin

Statement by John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin Director
CONTACT: 414-336-8575

Today the Green Bay diocese issued a statement that one of its senior priests, Fr. Justin Werner, has been restricted from ministry due to a report of sexual abuse of a child or minor while he was at St. Edward in Mackville a few decades ago. Making this statement is a good start. The diocese now has to make sure parishes where Werner has been conducting ministry, especially recently, like St. Bernard’s in Appleton, are asked to help the police with any information on the case.

Child sexual abuse is the most unreported crime in the United States. Fewer than 10 percent of all victims report the crime, and it usually takes years, if not decades to come forward.

Because the alleged crimes took place under the old Wisconsin criminal statute of limitations for child sexual…