ROME
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Jan. 13
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those abused by Priests (314 566 9790, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
An archbishop accused of committing sexual misconduct and concealing child sex crimes will start working in a Michigan parish. We call on Pope Francis to reverse this stunningly reckless and callous move. And we call on all of Michigan’s bishops to denounce it.
Last year, Archbishop John Nienstedt resigned his post as head of the Twin Cities archdiocese after his archdiocese became “the nation’s first (to be) charged with failure to protect children,” according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Nienstedt also allegedly sexually abused several seminarians.
And he’s accused of interfering with a church investigation into clergy sexual misconduct.
But now, church officials say Nienstedt will soon work at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek and live at the nearly Church of Saint Joseph.
This is an outrage. Kalamazoo church officials are putting young people in harm’s way. It’s just that simple.
Shame on Kalamazoo Bishop Paul Bradley, Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda and on every single Catholic priest, employee and parishioner who silently approves or accepts this dangerous decision without protest.
This is a key reason clergy sex crimes, misdeeds and cover ups continue in the church: because those who commit these heinous acts are still usually protected – and sometimes promoted – regardless of how much harm they cause.
We urge Kalamazoo Catholics and citizens to learn about Nienstedt’s deceitful handling of the abuse and cover up crisis, especially the case of Fr. Curtis Wehmeyer, at BishopAccountability.org
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