CHILE
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
Chilean Catholic officials admit that a priest who “was instrumental in the forced adoption of at least two babies without the knowledge of their mothers” will not be punished. Shame on them.
Let’s put this as clearly and simply as possible: Fr. Gerardo Joannon stole children from their mothers through deceit, and Catholic officials acknowledge this fact.
As depraved as this is, it’s every bit as depraved that Catholic officials are doing nothing to punish Fr. Joannon. Shame on every member of the Catholic hierarchy who made or is silently tolerating this irresponsible, hurtful decision.
Fr. Joannon should be loudly and promptly drummed out of the priesthood.
Instead, Catholic officials are simply moving Fr. Joannon to Spain where, presumably he’ll be around unsuspecting and vulnerable families. (Catholic officials also admit that the priest had an “inappropriate relationship” with one mother.)
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