BishopAccountability.org

Clergy abuse victim speaks out in GF

By Kelsie Mcmahon
WDAZ
April 18, 2016

http://www.wdaz.com/news/north-dakota/4012513-clergy-abuse-victim-speaks-out-gf


[with video]

GRAND FORKS, ND (WDAZ-TV) - A sexual abuse survivor is speaking out, and asking regional religious leaders to take action.

Joseph Jeyapaul was recently convicted of sexually abusing a teenager in 2005 when he was serving in the Crookston Diocese. He was deported back to India and a Bishop.

The Pope recently lifted his suspension and a bishop in India may assign him to a church there.

While there is no indication Jeyapaul is coming back to the U.S. his previous victim doesn't want him to preach at all, anywhere. She is trying to find more potential victims to help build her case.

“I personally would like to say that you're not alone, help is available, healing is possible,” said victim Megan Peterson.

“There may be children in this community who have been hurt and we're saying to the bishop, aren't you at least going to ask, aren't you going to do anything?” said SNAP outreach director Barbara Dorris. “We're not asking this bishop to tear down churches or do something, you know, huge, all we're asking him to do is to put a notice in the newspaper.”

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Jeyapaul's reinstatement.

 

Contact: kmcmahon@wdaz.com




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