She Hasn’t Had a Peaceful Mothers’ Day since the Mid-80’s

Voice from the Desert
May 13, 2012

http://reform-network.net/?p=16342

MEDIA RELEASE

SHE HASN’T HAD A PEACEFUL MOTHERS’ DAY SINCE THE MID-80’S

NEITHER HAS HER SON

NEITHER HAVE OTHER VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES

What: A demonstration and leafleting outside a Rockland County, NY Catholic Church whose pastor told a sexual abuse victim’s mother that her son was a con-artist.

Where: On the sidewalk outside St. Margaret of Antioch Parish, 115 West Central Avenue, Pearl River, NY 10965

Who: Two victims of sexual abuse at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, the President of a non-profit charity who is a former Irish Christian Brother and Catholic priest, and supporters.

When: Sunday, May 13, 2012 from 10:00 AM until Noon.

Why: In the 1980’s, Monsignor John O’Keefe, current pastor of St. Margaret of Antioch Parish, worked at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. One of the victims of sexual abuse by Br. John O’Connor, Dean of Discipline, told his parents about the abuse shortly after it occurred. His mother, in turn, reported it to then Fr. Jack O’Keefe, Guidance Counselor, who told the mother that her son was a con-artist. The victim was discredited by O’Keefe and his mother was told he was a liar. O’Keefe’s actions were nothing short of unconscionable.

The victims of Br. John O’Connor will call on Msgr. O’Keefe to reveal “what he knew and when he knew it” to law enforcement and the Archdiocese of New York and to apologize and atone for his insensitive and demeaning treatment of a sexual abuse victim.

Contacts: Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, President, Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800; Kevin Waldrip, Victims’ Advocate – 862-202-1499