KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Saturday, March 15
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com )
The child sex crimes and secrecy in Bishop Robert Finn’s Catholic diocese of Kansas City continue as two school teachers have been recently accused of allegedly molesting students. One of them was apparently quietly removed and the teacher who replaced him is now charged with child sex crimes.
[KCTV]
In the less-troubling case, Jackson County prosecutors filed charges on Friday against St. Thomas More elementary school teacher Tod. A. Barnard, 53, of Independence who allegedly repeatedly groped an 11-year-old girl.
In the more-troubling case, Catholic school officials admit they were informed on March 3 that the Independence Police Department was investigating an allegation of suspicious conduct by a school employee but apparently choose secrecy over openness twice. First, they kept that information hidden from parents and the public until two days ago. Second, they apparently quietly suspended the accused and kept that information hidden from parents and the public until two days ago too.
Shame on them.
Why the continuing delays and secrecy? If they suspended a teacher for alleged abuse, why did they not tell parents and the public? And if they learned of abuse allegations on March 3, why did KC Catholic officials conceal them until March 13?
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