They ask two Wisconsin Bishops to stop suspended priest from leading retreat

Alleged molester faces at least one pending civil sexual assault case

At least six other victims have come forward to Superior bishop

WHAT:

After a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will try to hand deliver a letter to top Wisconsin Catholic officials about an accused pedophile priest who is scheduled to lead a retreat this weekend in Canada. They will ask church authorities to call the priest, his employer, and the Canadian parish, in an effort to prevent the alleged child molester from attending and running the retreat.

WHEN:

Today, Thursday, April 26, 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:

• In Milwaukee: outside the Milwaukee Catholic archdiocesan headquarters, 3501 South Lake Drive.
• In Superior: outside the Superior Catholic diocese headquarters, 1201 Hughitt Ave.

WHO:
Wisconsin leaders of a support group for clergy molestation victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org).

VISUALS:
The group will hold signs, childhood pictures, and a photo of the predator priest.

WHY:
Yesterday, a Catholic alerted SNAP that Fr. Edward Beutner, a Wisconsin priest suspended from ministry for sexually molesting children, is set to facilitate a ‘Jesus Seminar’ retreat this weekend in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. According to Catholic Canon law under the Dallas Charter of 2002, no priest suspended from ministry for child abuse can publicly present himself or function as a priest.

In Nov. 2006, a civil child molestation case was filed against Beutner in Minnesota. At that time, Wisconsin SNAP leaders urged Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Superior Bishop Raphael Fliss to alert Bayview, WI residents of Beunter’s criminal history. Beutner was allowed to secretly settle in Bayview by Fliss and Dolan after Beutner was fired from working as a priest in 2002 for child abuse. Although Beunter is violating the Dallas Charter he has not been disciplined or ordered into a supervised treatment facility for sex offenders.

At least six other victims have come forward to Wisconsin church officials alleging they were assaulted as children by Beutner.

Beutner is one of several dozen “fellows” who allegedly are “scholars with advanced degrees in biblical studies, religion or related fields and who are recognized authorities in the field of religion” with a Santa Rosa CA-based organization called the Westar Institute (877) 523-3545 (westarinstitute.org). On its website, Westar lists Beutner as a “retired priest.”

SNAP worries about vulnerable adults and children at or near the event, especially because promotional material makes no mention of his status as a credibly accused child molester. SNAP is asking Catholic officials in both dioceses to call, fax, and email staff at Westar and the parish, to either a) stop Beutner from participating or b) at least warn attendees about his past.

The retreat, which starts Friday, is being hosted by All-Saints Anglican Church (Rhonda Plowman or Bill Wahl 403-527-7601).

Beutner is one of a growing number of Wisconsin priests removed for child abuse discovered living unsupervised in neighborhoods or working with children and families. This month, Fr. Joseph Collova, removed from the Milwaukee archdiocese for child abuse, is being ordained as a bishop in Delevan, WI from the “Independent” Catholic Church.

CONTACT:

Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest Director (Milwaukee) 414.429.7259.

-Bob Schwiderski, SNAP MN and N Wisconsin, 952.471.3422

-Mike Sneesby, SNAP Wisconsin, 414.915.4374

-Connie Ross (of Menominee, WI and molested by Fr. Buentner as a youngster) can be reached by cell at 715.220.2402.