October 16, 2004
Edward U. Kmiec
Bishop of Nashville
2400 21st Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37212
Bishop Kmiec /Acting Administrator:
Since the adoption of the Dallas charter, the church has frequently indicated its desire to protect children from clergy molestation. Yet we find in Clarksville a priest perpetrator with 38 civil cases pending. He is living in a family-oriented neighborhood, slowly incorporating himself into the lives of his neighbors in order to gain access to their children. He moved to his present address in February, but his perpetrator status has remained until now unknown to the people of the neighborhood.
Did the diocese of Nashville know about Father David Kelley? Did the bishop of Cincinnati notify anyone in this diocese of Father Kelley’s move to Tennessee? If so, did the diocese of Nashville notify the people of Clarksville that there is a sexual predator living in their neighborhood? Until he is defrocked, the church is responsible for the priest’s location and behavior. This situation reinforces our belief that full disclosure, transparency, and the protection of children, teens, and vulnerable adults is not the primary focus of the diocese of Nashville.
Very few bishops have had the courage to release the names and service history of credibly accused priests. The Diocese of Nashville reported credible allegations of sexual abuse by seven priests. To date, we have not been made aware of who these priests are, where they served, and when they served. The people of Tennessee in all three dioceses deserve full disclosure with pertinent service information.
Simply put, please cross-reference with the Nashville diocese, the Knoxville diocese, and the Memphis diocese and publish a complete record of abusive clergy. This list should be a permanent feature on the diocesan website and on record at each and every parish in the diocese.
A power structure that is accountable only to itself will always end by abusing the powerless.
We would appreciate a response to this letter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Susan Vance, SNAP of Tennessee, 8324 South Burchfield Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Ann Brentwood, 3142 Harrington Court, Maryville, TN 37803
Mike Coode, 415 Chesterfield Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212