SNAP PRESS RELEASE

Another clergy sex abuse and cover up lawsuit is filed

Victims to archbishop: "Disclose whether you're trying to free predators”

Recent deposition by president of US bishops' conference is 'disturbing'

He repeatedly tried for ten years to get a convicted serial predator freed from prison

Group also wants steps taken to prevent newly convicted naked jogging priest from fleeing

WHAT

At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will announce another child molestation lawsuit against the Denver archdiocese. They will also urge local Catholic officials to

-- disclose whether they have or are trying to get any convicted predators out of prison early, and

-- ask a recently convicted Colorado sex offender priest to voluntarily give the bishop his passport, so he won't have a chance to flee the country (as several pedophile priests have done recently).

The request comes on the heels of shocking court documents that surfaced last week in Chicago showing that the head of the US bishops' conference spent nearly a decade trying to get a convicted serial pedophile priest an early release from prison. It is timely because of the recent case of Fr. Whipkey, who was convicted of indecent exposure, may be jailed.

WHEN

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE

Outside the Colorado Catholic Conference Offices, 1535 Logan St, (on the side of the Cathedral, in downtown Denver

WHY

Several days ago, a Massachusetts priest became the latest accused predator to flee the country. Dozens of alleged pedophile priests have done likewise. To prevent this from happening here, SNAP wants Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput to ask Fr. Robert Whipkey (and any future priest against whom sexual allegations are made) to turn over his passport to the archbishop. Whipkey will be sentenced soon for his recent indecent exposure conviction.

(Over the years, at least four Denver Catholic priests have been convicted or pled guilty to child sex crimes, including Fr. Timothy J. Evans, convicted in 2007, Fr. Patrick O’Liddy, pled guilty in 1999, Fr. Mark Matson, convicted in 2000, and Whipkey. Fr. Bart Nadal was acquitted in 1990.)

Last week, church records and depositions were made public in Chicago. They showed that Cardinal Francis George, the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, worked for nearly ten years to get a convicted serial predator priest freed early from jail. SNAP wants Chaput to disclose whether he has or is making similar efforts here, to stop them if he is, and to promise to not use his political clout to help proven pedophiles back on the streets.

In today’s lawsuit, a ’John Doe’ reports having been abused by Fr. Harold R. White at St. Catherine’s Parish in Denver in the early 1960s, where White was then a priest.

Last month, two other White victims filed civil lawsuit against the archdiocese. He’s accused of molesting more than 30 kids. White worked in parishes in Denver, Colorado Springs, Sterling, Loveland, Minturn, Aspen, Wheat Ridge, Grand Lake, in Steamboat Springs and Eagle.

CONTACT
Jeb Barrett, SNAP Denver Leader, 720 222 2412
Kirsten Boyd, SNAP Denver Spokesperson, 303 547 0292
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314 566 9790


Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org

The Catholic Parishioners are being decived by thier own church and need to take action! As long as the Lay catholics Lay down and accept the Lies the bishops and Vatican is telling them as they empty thier pockets to pay for pedophile legall issues and accomidate the doctor bills and lavish vacations each time the priest sexually abuse us as children and the lay people thith to Pay for the cover up and promotion of The Priest.....The Lay Catholics are supporting the horror and tadgidy of continued Pedophilia... As long as They continue to Not Support What Is Good And Just instead of Lies The lay people of the church are equally as responsible.
Raped as a child from diapers to 3rd grade by a known pedophile Priest George Nivelle Rucker I Call upon the Arc Angle Micheal to sort this out with his legions To Save the children and thier families To Save the parishioner from the Power mongers they fallow under deception....as Jesus according to the book "bible " Would never allow this to continue in his name or His House! Rewards will come when you all fallow your heart not Your Coins

When are the courts going to make the decision that all records and all files regarding credibly accused sexually abusive priests who have escaped criminal prosecution are going to be forced into the public venue?

And it is more than past time that people demand that the COLORADO LEGISLATURE REMOVE ALL CRIMINAL AND CIVIL STATUTES OF LIMITATION IN REGARD TO THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN.

Moreover, there should be a two, three or five year CIVIL WINDOW FOR BRINGING TO COURT PREVIOUSLY TIME BARRED CASES OF ABUSE, BY ANYONE!

And all religious denominations, and that includes the Roman Catholic Church and the Colorado Catholic Conference, should be in the vanguard of this action.

Wake up people, we have an epidemic of child abuse going on in the country and if our churches are leading this movement....

Why didn't you support Gwyn Green's bill in the last legislative session?

Not to have done so is unconscionable and immoral.

Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Victims' Advocate
New Castle, Delaware
maureenpaulturlish@yahoo.com