SOUTH AFRICA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314-566-9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )

Police in Pretoria acted decisively when they arrested a local priest for acting inappropriately with a child.

[Eyewitness News]

The family of the victim reported to police that the priest from the Archdiocese of Pretoria acted inappropriately with their child. The priest has since been barred from ministry while the investigation continues. Another pastor was arrested for possession of child pornography and has since appeared in court to answer for those charges.

We hope that any victims, witnesses, or whistleblowers will take courage from these arrests and speak up. Only through speaking up can we prevent other innocent children from being hurt. These arrests are an encouraging sign that the…