SNAP of Tennessee

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests - Tennessee

SNAP MEDIA ALERT - PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY, 04/02

Court to hear arguments on pedophile priest
The issue: whether to release secret church records
Victims say "parents and public need & deserve to know facts"
Clergy sex abuse group wants predators' names publicly disclosed
In recently-settled lawsuit, church admits there are 15 accused priests
But national data base lists only 7 alleged child molesting Memphis clerics
Spinning large “roulette” wheel, group claims church ‘gambles’ with kids' safety'
For public safety, diocese must disclose abusers' names and whereabouts, SNAP says


WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, spinning a large, cardboard  "roulette" wheel, clergy sex abuse victims will accuse Memphis Catholic officials of "gambling’ with kids’ safety" and urge them to
    -- disclose the names and whereabouts of additional 8 accused pedophile priests who are working or have worked in the diocese, and
    -- stop blocking the public release of documents about these child molesting clergy in court.
They’ll also prod anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes, by any predator priest, to come forward, get help and call police.

WHEN
Thursday, April 2, immediately after 10:30 hearing.

WHERE
On the steps of the Courthouse, 140 Adams in downtown Memphis

WHO
A sexual abuse victim who heads the Memphis chapter of a national support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

Hopefully today's decision by Judge McPherson will allow disclosure of more information  facilitating understanding, justice, and healing, for more victims and there families. We believe unsealing the files addresses transparency which the Diocese has promised.

Recently a civil child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit against Fr. Juan Carlos Duran and two Catholic institutions was settled for $2 million. In that case, Memphis diocesan officials admitted that 15 priests who work or worked here have been accused of child molestation.

However, BishopAccountability.org, an independent national data base of predator priests maintained by Catholic lay people, only lists seven accused Memphis Catholic clerics.

SNAP believes that Memphis citizens and Catholics need and deserve to know who and where these potentially dangerous priests are. It’s especially important, the group feels, that church authorities at least disclose the identities of the 8 whose names are not yet publicly known.

Roughly 14 US bishops (from Baltimore to Milwaukee to Toledo to Philadelphia) have posted the names of pedophile priests on their diocesan websites. SNAP wants the Memphis diocese to do likewise.

Defendants in the Duran case include the Memphis diocese and a religious order called the Dominicans.

The Duran settlement with the diocese was announced Feb. 16  before Circuit Court Judge Charles O. McPherson. SNAP believes that this settlement shows that Catholic officials were terrified that proof of their complicity and duplicity would have been disclosed had this case gone forward. Almost always, the group feels, when legal technicalities are overcome and a clergy sex abuse case is near trial, the church hierarchy will pay lots to avoid having to face tough questions under oath in open court about their role in enabling or ignoring child sex crimes.

Hopefully today's decision by Judge McPherson will allow disclosure of more information facilitating understanding, justice, and healing, for more victims and there families.

CONTACT

David Brown 901 569 4500, Ann Brentwood 865 984 7092, David Clohessy 314 566 9790

SNAP responds to new Knoxville Bishop

Monsignor Richard Sticka will be installed as the new bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee.  Here is some information about how Richard Sticka dealt with clergy sexual abuse in the past. 

SNAP statement on new Knoxville Bishop. 

SNAP calls for ouster of Monsignor (2005 article)

SNAP press release from 2005 in its entirety. 

Harry Monroe - again in the news - how much more outrage do we need?

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis gifted Tennessee with Pedophile priest Harry Monroe. Which Tennessee priest did we send to them in exchange?  Investigate. History shows that you will probably find one!

The Church knew that he (Harry Monroe) was an abuser. Records say church knew of priest's abuse

Other information on this site about Harry Monroe.Click here. AddThis Social Bookmark Button

More about Paul St. Charles, Preferred Pedophile Priest

The diocese of Memphis found "credible" evidence that Paul St. Charles is a pedophile. The diocese of Nashville coddles St. Charles like some kind of icon. Apparently, abusing children means little to Bishop Choby and the priests of the Nashville diocese. They let the people think that St. Charles has been "vindicated" even when fellow bishop, Bishop Steib of Memphis, says St. Charles is guilty. What brotherly support from Bishop Choby to Bishop Steib!!! And, Paul St. Charles has lived in "retirement" in Nashville for more years than he was an active priest pedophile. Who has he abused in Nashville? Do you trust the clergy in Nashville to have protected your children over the years? Oops! Here are links to Caleb Hannan's recent stories about Paul St. Charles, the pedophile par excellence.

Accused pedophile Paul St. Charles lost his priesthood. But that didn't stop Nashville's bishop from giving him an award

 Rest up, Your Catholic Priest Abuse Story Fatigue may Soon be put to the Test

Memphis expose "Nothing Sacred" gives comprehensive information on Pedophile Paul St. Charles

Nothing Sacred - from the Memphis News Magazine.

Link to the information in PDF format 

Link to the information in Word format

New Lawsuit filed against Paul St. Charles

A new lawsuit has been filed against Paul St. Charles in the Shelby County Circuit court.

08/26/08 - Article from Memphis Commercial Appeal - Suit accuses retired priest of abuse

Press release for Memphis Press conference, Monday, August 25, 2008

SNAP responds to Pope's visit to US

On Sunday, April 13, 2008, SNAP will hold a vigil and press conference.  Victims of abuse will ask that all bishops be defrocked who have been abusers. 

Click here for press release from SNAP 

Click here to see a video from YouTube of the rally. 

Anthony J. O'Connell, the disgraced first bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, admitted abuse.  Click here for information on O'Connell.

Click here for a video update as of 04/14/2008 about the taking down of O'Connell's picture at Knoxville Catholic High School.   

Many thanks to BishopAccountability.org for the table below 


Anthony J. O'Connell

 

 

1963 Ordained
1963-88 Jefferson City MO priest, seminary teacher, and rector
1988-98 Knoxville TN bishop
1998-2002 Palm Beach FL bishop
2002 Admits abuse and resigns
2002-now Palm Beach FL emeritus

Accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a student from 9th through 12th grade at St. Thomas Aquinas Preparatory Seminary in Hannibal, where O'Connell was rector. Complainant had gone to O'Connell because of prior abuse by another priest. O'Connell admitted the abuse and another similar case and resigned. Others came forward, totaling 9 by 2004, when 2 of 3 cases were settled. O'Connell moved to the Trappists' Mepkin Abbey near Moncks Corner SC.

St. Louis Post Dispatch 3.08.02

Miami Herald 3.09.02

Kansas City Star 4.19.02

St. Louis Post Dispatch 4.03.03

Times Daily 7.18.03


Palm Beach Post 2.28.04

Palm Beach Post 5.17.04

Palm Beach Post 7.29.04

Kansas City Star11.14.04

Metro-Pulse 11.16.06

 

Shame on Bishop Choby! Shame on Father Ryan High School!

PAUL ST. CHARLES IS NOT VINDICATED!  WHAT IS BISHOP CHOBY DOING HONORING A CHILD MOLESTER!

The people of the diocese of Nashville and the state of Tennessee are completely duped by Bishop Choby and the priests of the diocese of Nashville.  Bishop J. Terry Steib announced that Paul St. Charles is "credibly accused " of molesting teen boys.  Bishop Steib has petitioned Rome to "defrock" Paul St. Charles.  Yet, Bishop Choby gives a public award to this credibly accused priest and refuses to tell the people that he is an abuser.  This is no way to be "transparent" about clergy sexual abuse. 

Bishop Choby, you owe all victims of clergy abuse an apology.  Tell the people the truth.  Tell them that Paul St. Charles is NOT vindicated.  Tell them that there are court cases in process right now.  Tell them that Paul St. Charles is being defrocked. 

Is this in the great tradition of Father Ryan High School?  To give honors to child molesters?  If Bishop Choby and the priests of the diocese had done their jobs, the good people of Father Ryan would have known that Paul St. Charles is credibly accused.  They would know that this an outrage to all victims of clergy sexual abuse. 

WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED ABOUT THE "GOLDEN GRAD" AWARD FOR PAUL ST. CHARLES? 
We know that the Golden Grad award at Father Ryan is just about living 50 years past your graduation day.  We know that it is not some personal tribute award.  Therefore, the Golden Grad award should have been given to Paul St. Charles "in absentia."  No public award should have been given.  The bishop and the alumni association at Father Ryan could have easily made this point to Paul St. Charles.  They could have said, "The award is in the mail."  Instead, they allowed a child molester to appear in public and shake the hand of the bishop.  The bishop has never raised a hand to set the record straight about the abuse of children and teens at the hands of Paul St. Charles.  We have no pictures of victims of clergy abuse receiving an affable handshake from the bishop. 

We call upon Bishop Choby for a formal apology.  We call on Bishop Steib to stand up for his decision and demand that the people be told the truth.  We call upon Bishop Steib to stand up and tell the people of the diocese of Knoxville that Paul St. Charles was assigned in their diocese as well.  We call upon all priests to be on the side of truth and tell their respective churches about the credible allegations of Paul St. Charles. 

Click here to see the disgraceful "Golden Grad" awards given to a child molester. 

See Paul St. Charles on the front row.  Do these Golden Grads know the truth?  Did anyone bother to tell them that their classmate, Paul St. Charles has multiple abuse victims?  Did anyone bother to let a victim speak to them to tell them why this is so heinous?  Did anyone bother to think of the victims?  Is this the way clergy abuse victims can expect to be treated across the state of Tennessee? 

New chapters across the Southeast USA

  • Alabama

Information of press conference in Birmingham, AL Friday, October 19th.

Press release and letter to Bishop Baker are located here. 

Service record for Cuthbert Bender, OSB is located here.

 

Charleston, SC - Press Conference - Friday - October 26th - 11:00 a.m.

SNAP of South Carolina will have a press conference at the Catholic Cathedral at 120 Broad Street in Charleston, SC, Friday, October 16th, 11:00 a.m.  Click here.

Savannah press conference -- Thursday -- October 25th -- 10:30 a.m.

Press conference in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday, October 25th at 10:30 a.m. EDT.  Click here.

SNAP press conference in Atlanta - October 23rd

Press conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 23rd at 11:00 a.m.  Click here for SNAP of Georgia site for details. 

Greg Salata - Lawsuit filed in Memphis 08-15-07; SNAP responds

Lawsuit claims rape by priest

Woman sues diocese for incident in 2002

By Lawrence Buser
Saturday, August 18, 2007

Memphis, TN:  A 33-year-old Memphis woman has filed suit against the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, claiming that a priest sexually molested and raped her.

The Circuit Court suit filed by "Jane Doe 4" also contends that the diocese had previous complaints of inappropriate sexual conduct by Rev. Gregory Salata but did nothing to protect her or other church members.

The woman was a high school senior in 1992 when she went to Salata for counseling and advice, but in 2002 the priest used her trust and vulnerability to sexually molest and then rape her, the suit said.

The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Salata has been at St. Louis Church, St. Paul the Apostle Church, St. Ann Church in Bartlett and last year was assigned to Campus Ministry at the University of Memphis.

Diocese spokesman Rev. John Geaney said Friday that Salata is no longer at the campus and has been removed from ministry, which means he can perform no priestly functions.

"We always take whatever allegations that are made very seriously and the process for dealing with these situations goes on," Geaney said.

Two months ago the diocese reached undisclosed financial settlements with three Vietnamese-American women who said Rev. Joseph Nguyen had sexually abused them from 1994 to 1999. Nguyen is no longer involved in any ministries and has no contact with children or parishioners.

The diocese said the settlement is not an admission of liability.

*****************************************************************************

For immediate release:
Monday, August 20
 
Contact information:
Ann Brentwood, Southeastern Director, SNAP, (865) 984 7092, (865) 607-6119 cell
Susan Vance, State Director of SNAP of Tennessee  (865) 748-3518 cell
David Brown, Memphis Director, SNAP (901) 569-4500 cell
David Clohessy, National Director, SNAP (314) 566-9790 cell
 
Memphis priest accused of rape
“Did Catholic bishop and clergy know of problem priest’s past,” SNAP asks.
SNAP asks the people of Memphis to demand more honesty and transparency
Victims urged to come forward, says SNAP leaders
Remove all remaining predator priests from the diocese promptly and decisively, Group demands
 
The criminal activity of another Memphis priest made public through the heroic effort of a courageous victim.
 
“Bishop Steib must disclose all information related to sexual misconduct by any clergy person or employee of the diocese.  The protection of the public cannot be ensured hiding criminal conduct,”says Ann Brentwood, Southeastern Director of SNAP.  “Bishop Steib has a responsibility and moral obligation to the public to protect them from known abusive clerics.”
 
“We are troubled because we have another charge of clergy sexual abuse when we just heard last week from the Bishop that the Diocese of Memphis got high marks on the latest Gavin Associates' Report.  Something is not right.  Either the information they turned in was not truthful or the standards for reporting are wrong,” says David Brown, Memphis Director of SNAP. 
 
“Bishop Steib needs to take aggressive steps to break the church’s long-standing culture of secrecy and publicly prod victims and witnesses to contact law enforcement,” says Brentwood.
 
“In many cases, bishops do nothing, which means they’re basically helping the accused,” said David Clohessy, National Director of SNAP. “Steib has a moral duty to do everything in his power to urge victims and witnesses to report to police.  SNAP urges Bishop Steib to visit each parish where the predator priest has been assigned and urge victims and witnesses to come forward.”
 
“If the community at large is to be safe, it is critical that anyone who knows about or suspects this or any priest’s misconduct breaks their silence now,” says Susan Vance, Tennessee State Director of SNAP.
 
“Even now, many Catholics feel that publicly disclosing or discussing abuse brings shame on their church,” said David Brown. “Steib must confront this dangerous notion and assure his flock that secrecy is what hurts the church and victims. By sharing what they know about clergy sex crimes, they are helping to make children, teens, and vulnerable adults safer and churches healthier.”



Tennessee exports pedophile priest to Arkansas

Press conference on Wednesday, October 17th, at 10:30 a.m. CDT in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Click here to go to our SNAP of Arkansas site.
According to the public record in the Official Catholic Directory dated 1965, Paul Haas was assigned outside the diocese at Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock.  Haas is a known abuser; a fact not disputed by the diocese of Nashville, Tennessee.  Did Tennessee pass on a pedophile to Arkansas?  Looks like it from the public record.  Click here to download this entire page from the Official Catholic Directory - PDF format. 



Press Release for Monday, October 15th. 

CANCELLED FOR OCTOBER 15th

TO BE RESCHEDULED (see below)

The press conference scheduled by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) for Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Nashville has been cancelled.

Due to an emergency (sudden death of a family friend), David Clohessy, National Director of SNAP, will be unable to attend as previously scheduled.


A concurrent concern is that the press will be engaged as well in the funeral of Charles Giacosa, priest of the diocese of Nashville.


Thank you for your understanding.  We will be rescheduling this press conference for later in October.


Susan Vance
State director of SNAP of Tennessee

865-748-3518

**************************

Catholic bishop publicly honors pedophile ex-priest
Clergy sex abuse victims slam his ‘deceit’ and ‘recklessness’
Serial predator is being defrocked but Nashville officials keep this secret
Molester's career shows he had access to kids in Nashville, Knoxville, & Memphis
Lawsuits settled with Memphis diocese; more cases of child sex abuse pending against him
SNAP urges church employees to help reach out to others who are “still suffering in shame & silence”
"Insensitivity" by Bishop and High School rubs salt into wounds of victims, support group says
It also deters others who've been hurt from coming forward, exposing predators, and getting help, they fear


WHAT:
At a sidewalk press conference, clergy sex abuse victims will urge Catholic church officials in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville to
- tell the truth about a suspended predator priest who faces several lawsuits and is being defrocked.
- warn parishioners and the public - through diocesan websites and parish bulletins – about him, and
- apologize for publicly honoring him even after child molestation lawsuits against him were settled and others were filed

WHEN:
Monday, October 15, 11:00 a.m. CST

WHERE:

Outside the Catholic Center, 2400 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN



View Larger Map

WHO:
Several clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters including the National Director of SNAP, David Clohessy, who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP network.org)

WHY:

Fr. Paul St. Charles, a Nashville native and resident, was suspended from active ministry and sued in Memphis for molesting boys. In July 2007, several lawsuits against him were settled. (Other child sex abuse lawsuits against him are still pending). In 2004, Memphis Bishop Terry Steib asked the Vatican to begin defrocking St. Charles, because a church panel deemed the allegations against St. Charles "credible."

 

http://www.fatherryan.org/alumni/goldengrads07/inductees/index.htm

http://www.rememberthesurvivors.com/stcharlespaul.htm

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryLead.aspx?id=98610

See Commentary below

However, even after St. Charles was suspended and sued, Nashville Bishop Choby publicly honored St. Charles at a ceremony at Ryan High School in June. St. Charles continues to be given the title of "Father." Many Catholics in Nashville believe that St. Charles has been "vindicated," yet the church hierarchy refuses to correct this error despite promises of transparency.

Such insensitivitity and recklessness, SNAP believes, hurts those already wounded and puts kids at risk of more abuse. They want church officials to apologize for and explain their hurtful actions and take concrete steps to alert families about St. Charles’ status and crimes.

CONTACT:
Mike Coode, Middle Tennessee SNAP director, 615-364-2334
Susan Vance, Tennessee SNAP director, 865-748-3518
Ann Brentwood, SNAP Southeast regional director, 865-607-6119
David Clohessy, National Director of SNAP, 314-566-9790

 Tip of the Iceberg Rally

Click here to go to the Tip of the Iceberg Rally information
 

PRESS RELEASE FOR TIP OF THE ICEBERG RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE ON 09/29/2007 

 

Catholic bishop publicly honors pedophile ex-priest

Clergy sex abuse victims slam his ‘deceit’ and ‘recklessness’

Serial predator is being defrocked but Nashville officials keep this secret

Molesters’ career shows he had access to kids in three dioceses: Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis

Lawsuits settled with Memphis diocese; more cases of child sex abuse pending against ex-priest

SNAP urges church employees to help reach out to others who are “still suffering in shame & silence”

"Insensitivity" by Choby and Ryan High School rubs salt into wounds of victims, support group says

It also deters others who've been hurt from coming forward, exposing predators, and getting help, they fear

WHAT:
At a sidewalk press conference, clergy sex abuse victims will urge Catholic church officials in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville to
- tell the truth about a predator priest who is credibly accused by the diocese of Memphis and is being removed from the priesthood.  The people have been told that he has been “vindicated.”  As of now, cases against him continue to climb. 
- apologize for their lack of action to correct the public perception that St. Charles has been vindicated
- warn parishioners and the public - through diocesan websites and parish bulletins – about him, and
- apologize for publicly honoring him even after child molestation lawsuits against him were settled and others are being filed

WHEN:
12:30 p.m., Saturday, September 29th

WHERE:
On the sidewalk in front of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 W End Ave, Nashville, TN

WHO:
Several clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY:
Nashville native and resident Paul St. Charles was sued in Memphis for molesting boys. In July 2007, some lawsuits were settled (but other civil lawsuits against him remain pending). In 2004, the diocesan review board advised Bishop Terry Steib to request that the Vatican defrock St. Charles.  Steib did so because the allegations against St. Charles were deemed "credible."

http://www.rememberthesurvivors.com/stcharlespaul.htm

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/Editorial/StoryLead.aspx?id=98610

Worse, even after he was suspended and is being defrocked, Bishop Choby publicly honored St. Charles at the Golden Grad ceremony at Ryan High School in June. St. Charles continues to be given the title of "Father." The people of Nashville believe that St. Charles has been "vindicated." The bishop and priests deliberately refuse to correct this error despite promises of transparency.

The service record of Paul St. Charles crosses each Tennessee Diocese.

http://www.rememberthesurvivors.com/servicestcharles.htm

Such insensitivitity and recklessness, SNAP believes, hurts those already wounded and puts kids at risk of more abuse. They want church officials to apologize for and explain their hurtful actions and take concrete steps to alert families about St. Charles’ status and crimes.

CONTACT:
Susan Vance, SNAP of Tennessee state director, snap101@comcast.net, 865-748-3518
Ann Brentwood, SNAP Southeast director, 865-697-6119
David Clohessy, National Director of SNAP, 314 566 9790

Cases against Memphis priests settled

Today in Memphis, SNAP of Tennessee will hold a press conference to discuss the cases settled against two Memphis priests.  Will this be the end?  NO!  This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Read the article in the Memphis Daily News for August 23, 2007.

No.
Date settled
Docket #
Plaintiff
Priest
1
06/19/07
CT-004851-06, Div. 6
Jane Doe #1
Joseph Nguyen
2
06/19/07
CT-005076-06, Div. 6
Jane Doe #2
Joseph Nguyen
3
06/19/07
CT-005886-06, Div.6
Jane Doe #3
Joseph Nguyen
4
07/17/07
CT-004692-05, Div. 51 Victim
Paul St. Charles
5
07/17/07
CT-005869-05, Div. 81 Victim
Paul St. Charles
6
07/26/07
CT-004275-04, Div. 92 Victims
Richard Mickey
7
08/14/07
CT-006172-06, Div. 31 Victim
Paul St. Charles

Click here to down load this table and other information provided by Memphis SNAP director, David Brown.

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SNAP of Tennessee responds to appointment of Kurtz as archbishop

June 12, 2007:  Bishop Joseph Kurtz, bishop of Knoxville, has been appointed archbishop of Louisville, KY.  SNAP of Tennessee responds to this announcment as follows.
***************************

As archbishop of Louisville, Bishop Kurtz will still be in a position to know the problems across the entire state of Tennessee as well as Kentucky.  Victims of Clergy abuse are hopeful that he will handle his future duties with more compassion than he has done so far in the diocese of Knoxville.  We hope Bishop Kurtz will do a better job of listening to the pleas of victims in the following areas: 

1.  Naming the names of perpetrating priests across the diocese of Knoxville.  To date the people of the diocese of Knoxville are unaware of the large numbers of molesting priests and the hundreds of their victims across East Tennessee.  Kurtz has consistently answered our requests with a “Not-in my backyard attitude” as he shuffles responsibility off to Nashville, claiming “we weren’t a diocese then.”  This is painful to victims and is deceitful to the people in the pews who are expecting truth and transparency.  Such callous disregard for the feeling of victims is painful and wrong.  See presentation at about the deceit of the diocese of Knoxville by clicking here.   Message to Bishop Kurtz:  Tell us the names. 

2.  Bishop Kurtz will not be able to side-step his responsibilities as he did in Knoxville.  He will not be able to say, “We only go back to 1988.”  He has trained the entire diocese of Knoxville to think that nothing happened here before we became our own diocese in 1988, yet the Catholic community of Knoxville only underwent a name change from “diocese of Nashville” to “diocese of Knoxville.”  The pain of victims is real and pre-dates the 1988 timeline.  The abuse that occurred here happened by Catholic clergy and is very real and very present to the victims.  Message to Bishop Kurtz:  Tell us the extent of the abuse and when and where it occurred.  

3.  Kurtz came to Knoxville after pedophile bishop, Anthony J. O’Connell.  Bishop Kurtz has allowed and encouraged the churches and schools to keep O’Connell’s pictures on display.  The message sent to victims of abuse by refusing the simple request to take down a molesters picture sent a clear message to victims that if O'Connell remained honored their abuse was of no matter (concern) to the Bishop.  Message to Bishop Kurtz:  Correct this insensitivity before you go.  Take down O’Connell’s pictures. 

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ann Brentwood, Southeast Coordinator of SNAP , 865-984-7092
Susan  Vance, SNAP of Tennessee, 865-748-3518

5th Anniversary of Resignation of Anthony J. O'Connell, 1st bishop of Knoxville

March 8, 2007, marks the 5th anniversary of the resignation of Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell. 

Letter sent to pastors of parishes and principals of Catholic schools on March 6, 2007
Letter to be deliverd to Bishop Joseph Kurtz on the 5th anniversary of the resignation of Anthony J. O'Connell

On March 28, 2003, we met with Bishop Kurtz and expressed our concerns about the lack of facts among the people of the diocese concerning the abuse by Anthony J. O'Connell.  Here is a copy of that letter. 

Press release for press conference in Knoxville on March 8, 2007. 

O'Connell stated in the press that he had abuse "one maybe two" teenage boys.  Read the expose by the St. Louis Dispatch that will show that to have been totally false.

Background information on O'Connell's pictures being left on display in churches and schools.
Article 1  Place of Honor for a Pedophile
Article 2  Victims write about taking name off St. Mary's Oak Ridge family life center.
Article 3
Article 4

"Where's the Perp?"  A continuing series of YouTube presentations about where O'Connell's picture is still on display.
Bishop's Office
St. John Neumann
Knoxville Catholic High School
Many more to come . . . . .

Information for West Palm Beach
Article 1  Scandal still settling in West Palm Beach - National Catholic Reporter
Article 2  New Bishop faces old problem

Florida information

Letter to Bishop Galeone of St. Augustine, FL  Click here. 

SNAP Press Conference in Miami  --  Click here for press relesse.

Letter sent to Bishop J.C. Favalora -- Click here. 

SNAP opens new southeast chapters

SNAP of South Carolina - Charleston

SNAP of Tennessee website

Memphis Wheel of Corruption

The information is overwhelming.  We have depicted Memphis in the Wheel of Corruption.  Hopefully this will summarize much of the information.

Click here for the web version of the Memphis Wheel of Corruption. 

Click here for the Flash version of the Memphis Wheel of Corruption.

Click here for the Executable version of the Memphis Wheel of Corruption.  This will download to your computer. 


The Cover-up in Tennessee


WHO ARE THE ABUSIVE CLERGY IN TENNESSEE?  ALL THREE OF THE DIOCESES KNOW. DO YOU?

Except for a few bishops across the United States, most bishops will not truly protect the people by letting us know the who-when-where of abusive clergy in their dioceses.

all your diocese and ask why we had to dig for this information.  Should this not be made available under the concept of disclosure and transparency?

JANUARY 2005 - Here is the latest plea from SNAP for complete transparency.Click here.

Click here for the questions from the John Jay Study released on February 27, 2004.  This is a voluntary self survey relying on the honesty of each diocese and the reliability of the records of each diocese. 

Here is the response of the diocese of Knoxville when requested to tell us the names of abusive priests who could have harmed our children.  The answer is in the form of a response to a letter to the editor in the March 7, 2004, East Tennessee CatholicIf this outrages you as much as it does us, do something about it.

Greg Bullough has a reasoned approach to the release of names.  Read what Greg has to say.Click here.

SNAP of Tennessee

SNAP of Tennessee is here to help victims of clergy sexual abuse.  We will stand by you, we will walk with you, we will believe you.  Give us a chance to show our concern.  Join a self-help support group.  Find out more about this. Contact us.

Tell us the names. Tell us where they are. Who is safe until you do? Why are we still having to ask for this?!

Each diocese has the answers.  We are not allowed to know.
Each diocese has the list.  We are not allowed to see it.
Each diocese has a secret group of abusers who are being hidden.  We are kept in the dark.
Each diocese knows the truth.  We are never told.
Each diocese hides their pedophiles.  Kids are not safe.  We cannot sleep at night. 
Clergy sex offenders don't make it to the state's sex offender list.  We ask that our officials find a way to correct this. 
We demand that our children, teens and vulnerable adults be protected.  We deserve at least that much truth from the diocese. 


Letter from SNAP of Tennessee to Administrator of the Diocese of Nashville.  Click here (Word).  Click here. (HTML)
Letter from Mike Coode, Coordinator of SNAP of Nashville, to Paul St. Charles.  Click here
Statement from survivors of David Kelley.  Click here (Word).  Click here (HTML).
Ohio Supreme Court to hear appeal from David Kelley's victims.  Click here

Tennessee beware! Survivor comes to Fairfield Glade to warn of abuser moving to town

The daily news is full of stories of frightened parents trying to find out if child molesters are moving in next door.  Fairfield Glade will find out Saturday that a molester has moved in, and this former priest's victim will be telling them face-to-face.

Vicky Cubberley and four of her supporters are traveling from New Jersey to warn the Fairfield Glade neighborhood about the man moving in next door.  Since the Catholic Church never took action, Vicky's New Jersey friends will join Tennessee SNAP members to protect the children and grandchildren in the Crossville area.

Click here to see the press release, the story, and other supporting documentation. 


Information concerning press conference in Memphis, December 16th

Survivors and advocates ask for opening/reopening of cases against four Memphis priests.

James W. Murphy, William Kantner, Joseph Reilly, and Richard Mickey.
Press conference coverage in Memphis 12-16-05
Letter
to the officials of Tennesee dioceses
Letters
about four priests that victims are asking to be investigated/reinvestigated.

Notes for press conference 011206

Click here to download notes for press conference.
Click here to download letter to Bishop Joseph Kurtz.

Op-Ed by Mike Wegs

Op-Ed section by Michael Wegs, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse.  Mike's perpetrator, Anthony J. O'Connell was the first bishop of Knoxville.  Mike will be writing op-ed articles on various topics of interest to the survivor community.  Click here and check out the many topics that Mike has made available to date.




"Breaking the Silence in Tennessee" November 2005


Click on the album cover on the left.  We are adding more photos of our "Breaking the Silence in Tennessee Exhibit" as the days go on.  Click on the "hands" on the bottom of each page to navigate.
Here are the three ways to view the slide show of our Breaking the Silence in Tennessee Exhibit.  Choose the one that is best for you.

1.    This is the best way to see the slide show in highest resolution, but you may have to download a free plugin to do it.  Click here.  If you cannot download the slide show from Photodex, follow this link to download the free plugin (Photodex Presenter), and it should work.


2.    Click here to view the slide show on a separate page of the November 5th Breaking the Silence debut in Nashville.

3.    If you want to download an executable (standalone) file that you can watch from your computer at any time, click here.  This will definitely take some time to download, but it would be worthwhile to have it on your own computer. You can watch this without a connection to the internet.

Breaking the Silence in Tennessee November 2005 Information on press conferences, etc

Knoxville Press Release        Map to Knoxville Press Conference
Nashville Press Release         Map to Nashville Press Conference
Memphis Press Release         Map to Memphis Press Conference
Information on James W. Murphy.  A man abused by Murphy will speak in all three cities. 
Information on Harry E. Monroe.  This abusive priest has been living in Nashville and working at a health care facility.  


SNAP of Tennessee to help newly formed SNAP of Georgia

SNAP of Georgia is underway.  Click here to view press conference notification for Friday, September 9, 2005.
Click here to view letter to Archbishop Wilton Gregory.

Across the state of Tennessee

 

Click on a section of Tennessee.  Information will be posted by region.  If an area is under alert, it will be noted below by this icon.  Click here for Support Group Information statewide.


We want to help abuse victims, but we need YOU!  Let us help reach those still hurting.  Contact us. 

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