TEXAS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Victims prod church to “take action”
Youth minister was arrested last week
He’s accused of molesting three children
SNAP: “Parents, ask your kids if they were hurt”
Group wants Methodist officials to “do outreach”
WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will
–blast local church officials for their public comments in a pending child sex abuse case,
–urge them to “do aggressive outreach” seeking other “victims, witnesses and whistleblowers,”
–beg parents in the congregation to “ask their kids if they were hurt,” and
–prod anyone who may have “seen, suspected or suffered” crimes by the minister – or cover ups by his colleagues or supervisors – to “protect kids by calling law enforcement immediately.”
WHEN
Thursday, April 7 at 11:00 am
WHERE
Outside First United Methodist Church of Cedar Hill, 128 North Roberts Road in Cedar Hill, Texas
WHO
Three members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including the organization’s Dallas-area director
WHY
Willie Lee Bell Jr., a youth pastor at this church, is accused of sexually assaulting two little boys behind their apartment on East Little Creek Road in February. And last week, he was reportedly caught in the act of molesting a third boy. The mom says bystanders attacked Bell to stop him.
Bell, 29-years-old, was arrested in West Oak Cliff.
In a statement, First United Methodist Church of Cedar Hill said it has no knowledge of any criminal acts happening at the church,” according to Fox 4 News. That’s designed to breed complacency, SNAP says, when just the reverse – vigilance and action – are needed now.
“Every current and former church employee or member who spent any time at this church should be
Beating the bushes and shouting from the rooftops, finding anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Bell’s crimes and begging them to call police,” said Amy Smith of SNAP. “Now is the time for United Methodist staff and congregants to step up and resist the natural but irresponsible temptation to be passive.”
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