MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Friday, March 13

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com

Four New Ulm Catholic priests have been identified as “credibly accused” child molesters but again, church officials ask victims to call them instead of calling law enforcement FIRST. That’s irresponsible and self-serving.

The four are Fr. Dennis Becker, Fr. David A. Roney, Fr. John M. Murphy, and Fr. Michael G. Skoblik.

New Ulm’s bishop should apologize for repeating a centuries-old hurtful pattern of trying to handle child sex crimes internally rather than criminally. While he mentions both church and secular authorities in his notice to parishioners, the bishop lists church staff first, and includes contact information for them (while only later, and briefly, mentioning “law enforcement” with no contact information provided).

All adults…