PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
JOSEPH A. SLOBODZIAN, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
LAST UPDATED: Friday, October 18, 2013
PHILADELPHIA Two Philadelphia grand juries have described the Rev. Robert L. Brennan as a serial sexual predator who molested more than a score of boys over 15 years as he was transferred from one Catholic parish to another.
But until last month, after a 26-year-old former Northeast Philadelphia altar boy agreed to press charges, all the allegations against the 75-year-old Brennan were too old to prosecute.
Now, the complaining witness has died of an accidental drug overdose, putting the first criminal case against Brennan in jeopardy.
Lawyer Marci A. Hamilton, who said she represents the man’s family, confirmed that the man died Sunday, adding that the family had requested privacy. …
Sources said the family was “devastated” and that the young man had long struggled with drug problems.
That is not unusual for victims of sexual abuse, said David Clohessy, director of the St. Louis-based SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests).
“I would go so far as to say, 90 percent of the victims we have helped over the decades have responded to trauma through some sort of self-destructive behavior. . . . Something, anything, to try to numb the pain,” Clohessy said.
Clohessy said SNAP staffers tell all who call to seek professional help “no matter how long ago the abuse happened, who the person was, or how well you think you are coping.”
Clohessy praised the man for contacting authorities and said, “It is now more important than ever for people who have knowledge or suspicions about Brennan’s crimes to take a deep breath, pick up the phone, and call the police.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.