PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Monday, Feb. 16

Statement by Karen Polesir, Philly SNAP leader, 267 992 9463, karenpolesir@yahoo.com

Could Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput possibly be more vague about the latest priest he’s suspended?

[Philiadelphia Inquirer]

[Philadelphia archdiocese]

Chaput claims the accusations against Fr. Louis J. Kolenkiewicz don’t involve “illegal or inappropriate contact with a minor,” but the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that church officials say he violated “standards regarding the boundaries of appropriate behavior for interacting with children and young people.”

Why can’t Chaput honor his pledges to be open about abuse cases? Why can’t he just tell parents and the public what the allegations against Fr. Kolenkiewicz are?

This case shows why so few have faith in Catholic officials to handle suspected cases of child sexual abuse, adult sexual exploitation or other clergy sexual misdeeds.

We suspect that…