It seems that the Diocese of Youngstown (OH) and the Diocese of
Altoona-Johnstown (PA) debacles,
specifically Brother Stephen Baker's involvement, are connected. What appears to have brought about
Hoatson's call to arms is this:
Youngstown Catholic Bishop George Murry is being called on to settle 28
cases of child sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated Brother Stephen Baker,
who was a coach at Warren John F. Kennedy High School in the 1980's and
1990's.
,,,
The recently completed Pennsylvania investigation revealed decades of
alleged systematic protection of sexual predators within the community
of priests and religious leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Altoona Johnstown, including Brother Stephen Baker.
Both articles concerning Diocese of Youngstown also cite this narrative,
Poland mother who says her son’s suicide resulted from being sexually abused by a priest at JFK demands transparency, as possible impetus. The
Diocese response as reported through March 7, 2016:
In 2013, the Youngstown Diocese announced abuse settlements with 11 former students of Baker’s. Road to Recovery says 28 more students are still waiting for Bishop George Murry to settle their claims.
Monsignor John Zuraw, chancellor of the Diocese of Youngstown, said
the diocese does not have a secret archive, nor does it have secret
files. He said the situation is completely different from one that was
reported at the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
“This is the second wave of individuals who have come forward,” he said.
Zuraw said the diocese is working with its legal counsel and the
victims’ legal counsel. While he said the diocese had no idea of Brother
Baker’s inappropriate behavior, the Youngstown Diocese did reach out to
staff and teachers who were at JFK.
He said the staff that was contacted said they weren’t aware of the alleged abuse.
The Catholic Church is in deep trouble as I feel this story, including both Ohio and Pennsylvania, are going to get much worse.
The leader of a national support group for victims of sexual abuse by
priests and other Catholic Church clergy today called upon county
prosecutors in Mahoning and Trumbull counties to urge Ohio Attorney
General Mike DeWine to launch an aggressive investigation into sexual
abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
At a press
conference this morning outside the headquarters of the diocese, Robert
Hoatson, president of the New Jersey-based Road to Recovery, “We want
the same type of investigation as was done in Altoona {Pa.].”[sic]
,,,
About 50 cases of abuse at JFK and St. Mary’s Middle School in Warren
have been reported, and the dioceses has settled about 11 of those
claims, Hoatson said.
All speakers also criticized Youngstown Bishop George Murry and diocesan leaders for their handling of the cases.
Advocacy group calls for Youngstown Diocese investigation | WKBN.com
No comments:
Post a Comment