MICHIGAN
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Thursday, April 14, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
In a stunningly mean-spirited move, Catholic officials are blaming a college student for the abuse she suffered at the hands of a charismatic, powerful and manipulative priest.
And they make contradictory claims – that the girl was responsible for sexual contact AND that no sexual contact happened.
In a legal filing, Bishop Joseph Cistone of the Saginaw diocese blames Megan Winans for being sexually exploited as a young, devout college student.
We believe Cistone’s goal is to shame and deter others who were hurt by priests into keeping quiet. We hope his selfish effort fails. Shame on him.
It’s worth noting that college officials have already found Winans credible. A Central Michigan University investigation has found that the priest “engaged in sexual harassment” of Winans, then a teenager who he had counseled and hired.
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