ST. LOUIS (MO)
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
February 26, 2019
An ex-Long Island Catholic school staffer has just been indicted on child pornography charges. We hope this move will prod others who have been sexually violated to step forward.
This news provides the first opportunity for Bishop John Barres to enlist in the pope’s new “all out war” on abuse. To do that, he must use parish bulletins, church websites and pulpit announcements to beg anyone with information about Michael Wustrow’s alleged crimes to call police. That’s the best way to protect kids – help make sure predators are imprisoned.
Everyone abhors abuse. The question is: will you take steps to stop it? Barres commands a large staff and many resources. So he could help police, prosecutors, parents and parishioners here, if he has the will. Based on our experience, we suspect he doesn’t.
Finally, we are glad Wustrow is being held without bail. That helps protect kids. All too often Catholic officials facing prosecution for child sex crimes fled overseas.
(Wustrow is the former music director at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, where accused predator priests Fr. Brian Brinker and Fr. Joseph C. McComiskey also worked.)
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