Church Sex Abuse Victim Urges Others to Come Forward

DES MOINES (IA)
WHO 13 TV

April 4, 2019

By Ben Oldach

John Chambers claimed he was abused in the 1960s while at Dowling high school by Leonard Kenkel who was teaching there at the time. His claim was found to be unsubstantiated in the early 2000s. On Thursday he found out that another alleged victim’s 2018 claim against Kenkel had been substantiated this year.

Chambers says it took him nearly 40 years and countless visits to therapy to come forward with his allegations of abuse.

“The ultimate threat is you’ll be excommunicated, and for a catholic that was the kiss of death…I was raised that you have several missions as a catholic. One is to lead a Christ-like life, and another is that the church has to survive, and if children are abused it’s collateral damage” said Chambers.

While the 2018 claim against Kenkel was substantiated by the church’s allegation review committee, two claims in the early 2000s were not, including his own allegation.

“It’s been a significant number of years, but the flavor of the meeting was ‘how dare you, how dare you do this, make this allegation’” said Chambers.

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