ST. LOUIS (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )
Tomorrow, for what we believe will be the first time ever, prosecutors will depose St. Louis’ highest ranking Catholic official (and one of his top aides) in a troubling, recent child sex abuse case.
[KMOX]
We believe it’s the first time any St. Louis archbishop has been deposed in any clergy sex case – criminal or civil. Nationally, it’s rare that members of the church hierarchy are deposed in these cases and even more rare when it’s a criminal case.
We hope Carlson doesn’t “plead the Fifth” or delay the deposition. We hope he tells the truth. And we hope prosecutors will ask him pointed questions about warning signs that Fr. Joseph Jiang was a predator and about the $20,000 check from Jiang to a victim’s parents that Carlson reportedly tried to get his hands on.
Fr. Jiang is accused of repeatedly molesting a girl as recently as last summer. He allegedly admitted the abuse to her parents and then left them a check for $20,000. That day, Carlson reportedly called the girl’s mom and asked if he could get the check. In a civil suit, Carlson is charged with “evidence tampering.” We wonder if he will or should face similar criminal charges.
And we’re curious about Deacon Phil Hengen’s role in all of this. He is also being deposed. He purports to “help victims.” But over the years, we’ve received many concerns and complaints by victims about him. If prosecutors want to question him, we can’t help but wonder if he too is playing a role in the cover up of Fr. Jiang’s crimes.
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