WHAT:
Just before mass starts, clergy molestation victims will hand out hard-hitting leaflets to Catholics, urging them to speak out against Denver’s archbishop and his recent legal moves in combating child sex abuse lawsuits.
They’ll also disclose and discuss four new child molestation suits being filed against a former Denver priest, including one that, for the first time ever, alleges that cleric began assaulting children even before he was ordained.
WHEN:
TODAY, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 11:40 a.m.
WHERE:
Outside the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan Street in Denver
WHO:
Several child molestation abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including the group’s president and founder from Chicago
WHY:
Starting last August, Father Harold Robert White's victims began filing civil lawsuits against the ex-cleric and the archdiocese. Last week, Denver Catholic officials began trying to shift some of the cases from state court to federal court, a move which SNAP believes will delay healing and disclosure, while discouraging other victims from coming forward. Archbishop Charles Chaput’s lawyers are also trying to claim such lawsuits violate the First Amendment, an argument which SNAP considers another preposterous delaying maneuver.
The group is calling on Denver Catholics to speak out against Chaput’s recent legal moves.
White was ordained in 1960. Over 33 years, he worked at 11 parishes in Colorado Springs, Sterling, Loveland, Minturn, Aspen, Wheat Ridge, Grand Lake, Steamboat Springs, Eagle, and Denver. For at least 20 of those 30 years, he stands accused of molesting children. White reportedly first victimized a boy in approximately 1960-1963. In these four new cases, the abuse occurred in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
According to one of the suits filed in December, White allegedly molested kids in his very first parish assignment. But this is the first time anyone has asserted that White sexually abused youngsters while just a seminarian.
Attorneys in the four new cases include Jeff Anderson 651 227 9990 and Tom Roberts 303 575 9396 (for victims).
CONTACT:
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
Troy Gray of Vail, SNAP Colorado Leader, 970 376 2753
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790, 314 645 5915
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