PITTSBURGH (PA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priestsi
And they “out” another Pittsburgh predator priest
Church admits he committed “sexual misconduct”
But cleric is also accused of assaulting a PA boy later
Catholic officials should send more letters, group says
SNAP: Bishop Zubik “only acts when prodded to do so”
WHAT
Holding childhood photos and signs at a sidewalk news conference, clergy abuse victims and advocates will;
– expose another priest who church officials admit was guilty of sexual misconduct and who worked at five Pittsburgh area parishes (but has attracted no attention locally), and
– thank Pittsburgh diocesan officials for sending three “outreach” letters over the past few months to Catholic school alums about several credibly accused child molesting clerics.
They will also urge Pittsburgh Catholic officials to
–send letters to all alums of all local parochial schools, begging others who were molested by clerics to come forward, and
–aggressively use their other resources (church websites, parish bulletins, pulpit announcements and personal visits) to prod victims to speak up and call police, and
–explain why they are letting religious orders hide names and whereabouts of child molesting clerics.
WHEN
Tuesday, June 17, 11 a.m.
WHERE
Outside of the Pittsburgh diocese headquarters (“chancery office”), 111 Boulevard of the Allies (corner of Stanwix) in Pittsburgh, PA
WHO
Two-three members of a self help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
In an unusual move, SNAP is thanking Pittsburgh Catholic officials for writing letters alerting their flock about several child molesting Catholic clerics (Fr. John Wellinger, Franciscan Brother Kenneth Ghastin, Franciscan Friar Michael Ledoux, and Marianist Brother Bernard Hartman).
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