He Speaks Publicly, Using His Name and Face, For The First Time

Bishops "Must Do More" To Protect Kids & Warn Families, He Says

Man Also Wants Catholic Bishops And Lay People To Prod Prosecutors

Predator Still Walks Free in Mexico Today

What:
At a news conference, a clergy child molestation victim will
-- announce and discuss his new civil sexual abuse lawsuit,
-- criticize Catholic church officials in Sacramento and Mexico for doing little about the predator priest (who has fled to Mexico), and
-- strongly urge law enforcement to extradite and prosecute him

Other clergy child sex victims will prod more witnesses and victims of the cleric to come forward and call police.

When:
TODAY< Wednesday, March 21, 10:00 a.m.

Where
980 S. Nineth Street (Suite 1900) in downtown Sacramento

Who:
A Texas man who was sexually abused as a boy by a Sacramento priest, and who is suing the predator and is disclosing his own identity for the first time. With him will be his attorney and other sexual abuse victims who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

Details:
In 1991, Father Gerardo Beltran fled Sacramento for Mexico after repeated allegations of molesting kids. He admitted to his Catholic supervisors having sex with a mentally retarded woman. Sacramento prosecutors have charged him with two felonies. But for more than a decade, Beltran has lived in Igualita, Mexico, where he reportedly performs mass every Sunday even now.

SNAP believes that the church is a huge, well-funded, well-organized, tightly-run, powerful global institution with a payroll of tens (perhaps hundreds) of thousands. Catholic officials, SNAP believes, could do more to pressure law enforcement authorities and to warn Mexican citizens about Beltran, especially by using church web sites and mailing lists and pulpits and parish bulletins and lobbyists and public relations staff to influence elected and appointed governmental office-holders.

Specifically, California and Mexico church officials should make verbal and written announcements in parishes this weekend detailing Fr. Beltran's crimes and begging witnesses and victims to come forward, get help, and call the police. Catholics in both jurisdictions should be implored to call and write law enforcement personnel and governmental leaders and prod them to extradite the child molesting cleric.

SNAP will also strongly encourage anyone who suspected, witnessed or experienced crimes or inappropriate behavior by Beltran to come forward, get help, and call the police.

http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=17835@kovr.dayport.com

The victim was living in Orland, California at the time of the abuse. He currently lives in Porter, Texas.

Contact:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 757 3328
Joey Piscatelli of Martinez, Bay Area SNAP director 925 262 3699 cell
Attorney Joseph George of Sacramento, 916 442 7200, 916 802 7949 cell