WHAT:
After a sidewalk news conference, two women will try to hand deliver a letter to Wichita’s Catholic bishop urging him to remove an abusive Wichita Diocese priest who twice sexually assaulted a parishioner last year
WHEN:
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1:15 p.m.
WHERE:
Outside the Wichita Catholic Diocese headquarters, 424 N. Broadway (316-269-3900) in Wichita
WHO:
The woman who was sexually assaulted by the priest, her family, and another woman who is a national leader in a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY:
In the summer of 2004, Fr. Nicholas Voelker of the Wichita diocese twice sexually assaulted a parishioner, Peggy Warren, of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Wichita, KS. In August 2004, to protect herself, Warren got a 'Protection From Abuse' Order against Voelker from the Sedgwick County Sheriff.
After reporting Voelker’s crimes to Wichita Catholic officials, the priest was sent to St. Ambrose Catholic church in St. Louis where he worked and lived for seven months (Jan. 2005-July 2005). Voelker’s Kansas parishioners were told he was sent to St. Louis for health reasons. Voelker’s St. Louis parishioners were told he was there to go to school. But Wichita church officials allegedly sent the cleric here for "treatment" because of the sexual assaults.
In June 2005, Warren received a substantial settlement from church authorities because of the assault. She was represented by attorneys Denis Ventriglia (910-256-0040) and Mike Hepperly (316-267-5330).
She also reported the crimes to Detective Scott Wiswell (316-268-4156) of the Wichita police. Next week, Wiswell is scheduled to discuss the potential criminal case with the local prosecutor.
In August, Voelker was promoted to pastor at St. Rose parish. Last month, Wichita’s bishop went to St. Rose to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the parish and Priesthood Sunday with Voelker and included Voelker’s picture and article in the diocesan newspaper. http://www.cdowk.org/catholic_advance/111105advance.pdf
A similar news conference is being held at roughly the same time in St. Louis, MO where SNAP will hand out leaflets door-to-door urging residents near St. Ambrose to ask friends and family if any of them may have been hurt by Voelker. If so, witnesses and victims are being urged to contact the police.
VISUALS:
The group will have a photo of the priest, copies of the settlement agreement and protective order.
CONTACT:
Janet Patterson of Conway Springs, KS - SNAP National Board Member 620-456-2330; 316-772-6537
Peggy Warren of Wichita, KS 316-993-4675
David Clohessy of St. Louis 314-566-9790,
Barb Dorris of St. Louis 314-862-7688 |
