NEW JERSEY
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A Newark priest is being investigated for allegedly taking more than $250,000 from elderly parishioners, evidence of even more corruption that’s happening on the watch of Archbishop John Myers and Archbishop Bernard Hebda.
[NJ.com]
Fr. Alex Orozco’s manipulation and deceit are what happens when top Catholic officials tolerate corruption at the top. When Archbishop Myers lavishly spends parishioners’ donations on his already huge and ostentatious mansion, it’s easy to see why his priests feel they can rip off the flock as well.
Shame on Myers and Hebda for keeping these serious allegations secret, which may have enabled Orozco to keep manipulating elderly women for more personal gain. And shame on Juancho Munoz Montoya, a former seminarian at Seton Hall University, for his secrecy as well.
Our hearts ache for current and former members and staff at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, the Church of the Nativity in Midland Park and the entire archdiocese. We hope that anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered misdeeds by Newark area clergy – whether financial or sexual – will call police, expose wrongdoers and deter other priests from exploiting parishioners.
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