KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
POSTED BY DAVID CLOHESSY ON MAY 09, 2013
KC bishop “outs” 3 victims, group says
In unusual move, he discloses their identities
SNAP: “Dozens more victims could suffer same fate”
As plaintiffs in child sex cases, their privacy is guaranteed
But Finn’s lawyers release their names when they are witnesses
Defense maneuver comes in parent’s wrongful death suicide suit
Accused predator priest is Missouri’s “most notorious” abusive cleric, SNAP says
What:
Holding signs and childhood photos, leaders of a clergy sex abuse victims support group will announce that Kansas City’s bishop
–has disclosed the names of three KC adults who filed child sex abuse and cover up lawsuits as “John Does” and
–may do also violate the privacy of dozens of other alleged victims.
They will discuss a new court filing that’s designed to stop what they call “this mean-spirited and intimidating legal defense maneuver” and prod local Catholics to
–donate elsewhere until Kansas City Catholic officials “stop the legal hardball” and
–share what they know about clergy sex crimes with police and prosecutors “so that kids will be safer.”
When:
TODAY, Thursday, May 9, at 1:00 p.m.
Where:
Outside the Kansas City diocesan headquarters, 20 West Ninth Street (at Baltimore) in Kansas City, MO
Who:
Three adults including a Kansas City abuse victim who belongs to a self help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a St. Louis woman who is the organization’s Associate Midwest Director
Why:
At least three alleged clergy sex abuse victims’ privacy has been violated, SNAP contends, because defense lawyers for Kansas City Catholic officials have put their names in court filings that are open to the public. Dozens more who have taken legal action against local predator priests may soon suffer the same fate, SNAP says.
The three filed civil lawsuits against Bishop Finn and the diocese as “John Does” to protect themselves and their loved ones, SNAP says, and won court orders guaranteeing their confidentiality.
But now Finn’s lawyers are making their names available to the public. They claim that court “protective orders” for victims only cover those victims in their own litigation, not if they are possible witnesses in other clergy sex abuse and cover up cases.
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