ILLINOIS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, March 4, 2014
For more information: Barbara Blaine, SNAP Founder and President (312) 399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com and David Clohessy, SNAP Executive Director (314) 566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
Pedophile priest worked in 3 Illinois dioceses
He was publicly exposed two weeks ago for first time
Sex abuse victims seek help from Cardinal George
Group blasts “bare minimum” approach by Catholic officials
A credibly accused predator priest who was exposed for the first time two weeks ago, worked for years at St. Augustine’s school in Chicago. And a support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Chicago Catholic officials to “aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes.”
Because of a court order, St. Paul Minnesota church officials revealed that Fr. Kenneth Gansmann was removed from active ministry because of allegations that he molested a child. Fr. Gansmann, who is now deceased, also worked in two other Illinois dioceses: Springfield and Joliet.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are asking Cardinal Francis George to “use his vast resources to seek out any others who may have seen, suspect, or suffered abuse.” Cardinal George should visit every parish were Gansmann worked and beg victims or witnesses to come forward, they say.
Gansmann worked in Chicago at St. Augustine’s school from 1936 until 1945.
“He had access to hundreds of children every year. It is never too late to report abuse,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP’s director. “We hope those who are suffering in silence will find the courage to speak up. And we hope Chicago church staff will gently but firmly prod them to do so.”
“It’s difficult for some people to understand this, but often, victims stay silent unless someone in a position of authority – a prosecutor, a bishop, or even a parent – begs them to step forward and get help,” said Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP’s founder and president. “Fr. Gansmann’s victims are likely getting older. They were children in a time when children were expected to never question adults, so it’s likely they’re still carrying this horrible burden alone. Catholic officials can and should gently but firmly prod them to break their silence and start healing.”
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