WHAT:
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy molestation victims and Catholics will
- announce two new child sex abuse lawsuits against a veteran Indiana priest,
- urge the cleric’s parishioners and colleagues to disclose his whereabouts, and
- again ask Catholic officials to prod anyone who suffered or witnessed his crimes to call the police.
WHEN:
TODAY, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Outside the Indianapolis Catholic archdiocese headquarters (aka chancery office), 1400 N. Meridian (corner of 14th Street) in Indianapolis
WHO:
Two or three Indiana clergy molestation victims, including a Chicago woman who founded a support group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and concerned Catholics who are members of an independent reform group called Voice of the Faithful (VOTF)
WHY:
Initially, in early September, a 40-year-old man living out of state filed an abuse suit against Fr. Harry Monroe, reporting that the priest had sexually violated him in 1976 while he was a student at St. Andrew Catholic Church's school in Indianapolis.
Then, later in September, another Indiana man sued, reporting that, Monroe repeatedly sexually assaulted him as a boy at St. Catherine’s parish (now closed) in 1977 in Indianapolis.
Now, two more Indiana men, both also victimized at St. Andrew’s, are also filing lawsuits. This makes a total of four accusers against Monroe. All of the men are identified only as “John Doe.”
Church officials claim they do not know Monroe’s whereabouts. They admit, however, that the cleric was suspended in 1984 because of “sexual misconduct” accusations.
Concerned about the safety of kids around Monroe now, SNAP wrote Archbishop Daniel Buechlein on Sept. 22, urging him to use church bulletins, diocesan web sites and diocesan newspapers to prod anyone who experienced, suspected or witnessed crimes by Monroe to contact police so that he might be prosecuted, children might be protected, and victims might be healed. They also want former and current church members and staff to disclose where Monroe lives to authorities.
Buechlein hasn’t responded.
All of the lawsuits are against Monroe and the Indianapolis Catholic archdiocese, are filed in Marion Superior Court, seek unspecified damages and jury trials. All of Monroe’s victims are represented by St. Paul MN attorney Pat Noaker (651 227 9990, 612 961 1307 cell).
According to the Indy Star, “Monroe worked at St. Monica Parish in 1975; the former St. Catherine Parish from 1977 through 1979; and at St. Patrick’s in Terre Haute from 1979 through 1981. He was placed on leave for a while in 1981 before being assigned to St. Paul in Tell City from 1982 through 1984.”
CONTACT:
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder 312 399 4747
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915
Sandy Teagarden Thomas, Indianapolis SNAP Director 317-888-1424 cell, 317 833 9996
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