MISSOURI
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday June 17, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
Years ago, a Catholic priest pled guilty to molesting a New Jersey boy, changed his name, and was sent to Missouri where he severely and repeatedly sexually assaulted at least four more boys. Now, he has finally pled guilty to a second set of crimes.
[ABC 17]
First, he was Fr. Carmine Sita. Then, he was Fr. Jerry (Gerry) Howard. Now, he’s an admitted felon. And hopefully he will never be able to hurt another child.
We are grateful that Fr. Howard will remain behind bars for at least several more years. And we are glad he’ll have to register as a sex offender if ever he is released.
The credit for this terrific outcome goes completely to the brave men who reported the horror they endured to law enforcement and to the determined prosecutors who pursued this case.
But at least a dozen of Fr. Howard’s Catholic supervisors are criminals too, though they have not been convicted. They hid his New Jersey crimes and they enabled his Missouri crimes by quietly letting him change his name and by sending him to unsuspecting parishioners. Each one of them – in Jefferson City, Jersey City, and with the Servants of the Paraclete (which “treated” him) – are incredibly callous and immoral people who should – if real justice were possible – be locked up as well.
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