ST. LOUIS (MO)
KMOX
ST. LOUIS (KMOX)– The Archdiocese is responding to criticism that it was apparently showing public support for a priest accused of sexual abuse.
The Survivors Network of those Accused by Priests held a news conference saying it was wrong for church officials to call a prayer meeting for the “exoneration” of Father Joseph Jiang. Jiang has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, and with witness tampering for allegedly leaving a check for $20,000 on the windshield of a car belonging to the family of the alleged victim.
“There was supposed to have been a prayer vigil for Father Jiang for his ‘exoneration,’” said SNAP spokeswoman Judy Jones, “This priest has been arrested, and charged for sexually abusing a minor, a girl under the age of seventeen.”
Jones says the gesture in support of the priest would have a “chilling” effect on victims of clergy abuse, making them feel the church gives the benefit of the doubt to accused priests.
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