VIRGINIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Statement by Becky Ianni, Virginia Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (703-801-6044,SNAPVirginia@cox.net)
A Catholic priest who worked in Virginia has been accused of abusing a male child in another state in 1990. Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are grateful to the brave victim who spoke up, but they are disappointed in the response of Catholic officials in the Diocese of Arlington.
Father Kevin J. Downey has been employed as the pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Triangle since 2011. While the priest has denied the allegations, he has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The survivors’ group expressed gratitude that the diocese notified parishioners about the allegations, and they were relieved to learn that the allegations have been reported law enforcement. However, victims think that the announcement should have included more details. The group is also very disappointed that the bishop is not aggressively reaching out to anyone who may have been harmed by the priest in Virginia.
Becky Ianni, the Virginia Director for SNAP, commented, “As a mother and grandmother, I’m concerned that we don’t know where Father Downey is now. As someone who may be a threat to young people, I can only hope that he is being housed in a remote, secure location away from children while the allegations are investigated.”
The SNAP leader also expressed concerns about what Father John O’Connor had to say in Saint Francis’ parish bulletin.
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