MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
[Archdiocese knew of priest’s sexual misbehavior, yet kept him in ministry – Minnesota Public Radio]
For immediate release: Monday, Sept. 23
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )
It seems clear that at least two top Catholic officials hid, tampered with, or tried to tamper with evidence in a recent clergy sex abuse case. In light of this, we call on Minnesota prosecutors to open a grand jury investigation into the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese’s handling of clergy sex crimes.
A lengthy Minnesota Public Radio story details how high-ranking staff of the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese kept Fr. Curtis C. Wehmeyer on the job despite “repeated troubling actions by and allegations against” the priest.
Last year, Fr. Wehmeyer pled guilty to 20 charges related to criminal sexual conduct against two St. Paul boys and possession of child pornography.
At least two archdiocesan staffers – Fr. Kevin McDonough and Greta Sawyer – acted recklessly and inappropriately, and did so, we believe, with the intent to hide or minimize Fr. Wehmeyer’s crimes.
Fr. Kevin McDonough
In 2012, “Before police arrived, McDonough and (Deacon John Vomastek) confronted Wehmeyer at the Blessed Sacrament rectory, according to police. McDonough took the priest’s handgun and one of his computers.”
We can’t help but wonder if Fr. McDonough destroyed or tampered with evidence – either on the computer or elsewhere. Without a grand jury investigation, Twin Cities Catholics and citizens will never know whether this prominent and powerful Catholic official helped or tried to help a criminal hide some of his crimes.
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