May 7, 2007

Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner
One Government Center
640 Jackson, Suite 2200
Toledo, Ohio 43604

Dear Mayor Finkbeiner:

We know that more than most public figures, you have taken time to learn and understand the significance of the ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal/cover-up that has devastated our community for decades. We know you made the effort to attend the only screening of “Twist of Faith” while other public officials (like Maumee Mayor Tim Wagner) were working hard to ensure it was never seen again. We remain grateful for the recognition you gave Tony Comes for his bravery and courage in going public with his story.

When you were at WTVG, you took a strong position on your segment “It’s Just Not Right!” You challenged Bishop Blair to remove any memorials or tributes in public places that honored those clerics against whom credible allegations of sexual abuse existed. You stated with strong conviction that we do not honor those who hurt kids.

In that same spirit, we are writing to ask that you use your leadership as Mayor to remove the sign on the street that runs alongside 5/3rd field, paying tribute to Monsignor Jerome Schmitt.

Representing SNAP, I sat through Fr. Robinsons’ criminal trial and witnessed several well regarded police officers come out of retirement to testify that their investigation into the Pahl case ended abruptly 26 years earlier, when Monsignor Schmitt showed up with then Deputy Chief Vetter and removed Fr. Robinson from the interrogation process.

Monsignor Schmitt clearly, used his power and influence as a Toledo Catholic Diocesan priest to end the investigation that could have removed a now convicted murderer from the streets decades ago. Because of Monsignor Schmitt’s actions, the family of Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl had no justice for 26 years. Because of Monsignor Schmitt’s actions the safety of our community was compromised for over two decades.

It’s no secret that the Toledo Catholic Diocese’s administration did everything possible then and again in 2003 to thwart law enforcement from moving forward when diocesan leaders intentionally withheld 145 pages of documentation from investigators (something they have never to date, been held accountable for).

We are approaching the anniversary of the criminal conviction of Fr. Gerald Robinson on May 11th. However, unintentional Sr. Margaret Ann Pahl has become a symbol to the survivor community as an example of justice by proxy. The conviction of her murderer represents vicarious justice and remains the closet justice that many victims will ever see because their cases were also diverted from the criminal courts by the intervention of top diocesan officials and their legal counsel.

The new Mud Hen’s stadium represents all that is good in Toledo. However, the sign paying tribute to Monsignor Schmitt who thwarted law enforcement’s investigation is a stain.

We know you could not motivate the Bishop to remove their memorials and tributes on diocesan property. But, we are hopeful that as Mayor, you will use your leadership to remove Monsignor Schmitt’s sign and replace it instead with a tribute to someone more fitting, perhaps a tribute to the fallen police officers killed in the line of duty or the multiple bridge workers who were also killed on the job.

We suspect that the decision makers who originally chose to honor Monsignor Schmitt, with that public sign alongside 5/3rd field simply did not have the benefit of knowing what retired detectives Art Marx and Lt. Kina’s did about Schmitt’s direct intervention that ended the investigation into Sr. Margaret Ann’s murder. However, given new information brought out under oath, at trial we believe the tribute to Monsignor Schmitt deserves re-consideration and removal.

We know a few misguided, might challenge such a removal, citing Monsignor Schmitt’s many good deeds and contributions to our city. Does his role in delaying justice and keeping a convicted murderer on the street outweigh those good acts?

We will remember the conviction of Fr. Robinson this Friday, May 11, 2007, honoring the memory of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl. She has become a symbol for many in the survivor community. While murder remains far more egregious than sexual assault, the fact patterns as they relate to the diocesan cover-up are too striking to ignore.

We understand Fr. Robinson’s appeals are underway. Regardless of their judicial outcome, it won’t change the facts as testified by Kina or Marx with regards to Monsignor Schmitt.

We understand that our request might place an undue financial hardship on the City. A group of sexual abuse survivors are committed to this so much so, that we are willing to donate monies to absorb the cost of removing the sign and raising a new sign in its place, so as to not cause an additional financial strain on the City of Toledo.

Please, help us put the past in the past, by removing the public tribute to Monsignor Schmitt alongside 5/3rd field. No matter the good, he’s done; can it ever really outweigh providing cover for a now convicted murderer of another human being? Can Monsignor Schmitt’s good works ever really negate the closure he delayed the Pahl family or the panic instilled into the community in dereference for keeping diocesan secrets?

Mr. Mayor, you yourself have stated, that it is never too late to do the right thing. Please do the right thing by this community and remove the tribute to Monsignor Schmitt from our public street and lead by example, that we do not honor those who would harm children, or thwart justice in a murder case.

If I can provide anything additional, please call me at 419-350-9234. Thank you in advance for your favorable consideration.

Claudia Yvonne Vercellotti
Co-Director, SNAP Toledo Chapter
419 350 9234
SNAPtoledo@aol.com

David Clohessy
SNAP National Executive Director,
314 566 9790
SNAPclohessy@aol.com