STEUBENVILLE (OH)
SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests [Chicago IL]
December 7, 2022
We are unable to authenticate the documents calling into question whether Franciscan University of Steubenville’s statement that they only learned of the sexual assault allegations against Fr. David Morrier in 2015. However, since they have now been published publicly, the university needs to be investigated, preferably by an outside authority, to determine who knew what, when they knew it, and what they did, or did not, do about these serious accusations. Moreover, the process, as well as the results of the probe, need to be completely open and transparent.
We do know that Fr. Morrier is a convicted & registered sex offender who targeted and preyed on an extremely vulnerable student. The published documents detail additional very troubling accusations that call into question the integrity and truthfulness of this Catholic college.
Enough is enough, light needs to be shined into this dark corner. The courageous young woman at the center of the scandal, and any others like her, deserved to be protected by Franciscan University, not to have exploitation by Fr. Morrier buried and ignored. The only way to ensure that such a travesty does not happen again is to uncover the complete truth.
CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, Communication Manager (267-261-0578, mmcdonnell@snapnetwork.org Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, zhiner@snapnetwork.org
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)