Dear St. Louis Catholic:

In January of 2001, I learned one of the most horrible things a parent can learn: that my precious son was repeatedly, sadistically sexually abused by a trusted Catholic priest. Since then, our family has endured a nightmare. And the nightmare continues.

Today, my son and I need your help.

This priest, Father Mark Roberts, has just moved a few miles from my son and me.  He is staying at a little-known center in Jefferson County that houses dozens of abusive priests. 

Rather than jail time, Fr.  Roberts was given probation. Rather than going to an secure, professionally-run treatment center, Fr. Roberts is at an unsecure place run by his fellow priests. Despite having pled guilty to molesting at least five boys, my son’s molester is in a “country club” setting, where he can come and go, with no guards, no locked gate, no high fencing, no monitoring device (like an electronic ankle bracelet) – none of the safeguards placed on most convicted serial child molesters.

Fr. Roberts is a human being too, made in the image of God and deserving of our sympathy. I don’t want to see him vilified or hurt. But by the same token, I can’t just watch my already wounded boy suffer again and again and again, as he worries about his safety and the safety of other youngsters.

Please help protect my son and other kids. Please help my boy heal. Here’s what you can do:

• Call Archbishop Raymond Burke (533 1887). Urge him to show true concern for other vulnerable kids in this area and true compassion for my son, by insisting that Fr. Roberts be sent elsewhere.
• Call Father Bertin Miller (636-285-7304,  636-274-1733), who heads the center where Fr. Roberts now lives. Ask him to move Fr. Roberts elsewhere.
• Call Governor Bob Holden (573 -751-3222,  314-340-6900 ). Urge him to show leadership and courage by publicly denouncing this move. Urge him to contact Nevada’s governor and insist that Fr. Roberts be moved.
• Finally, I ask you to consider: WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

I believe he would not sit idly while, in his name, such injustice was visited upon a young, wounded sexual abuse victim and his family.

The last few years have been very difficult for my son and for all of us who love him. He’s now in school, has a job, and has worked very hard to rebuild his once-shattered life. Thank you.

Garey

636 399 4222

P.S. My son and I share the same name. That’s why I’m using only my first name.

P.P.S. To learn more about this situation, call me or call SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, at 314 566 9790.