Toledo Catholic officials should beg witnesses & victims to come forward

Two 'disturbing' documents from diocesan staff will be released & discussed

SNAP fears that others hurt by Schmelzer may still be 'suffering in silence'

WHAT
At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will strongly urge Toledo's Catholic bishop to
-- apologize for and explain why it took 15 years to get a credibly accused sexually abusive priest removed permanently from his post,
-- personally visit each parish where the recently-ousted priest worked, and
-- use parish bulletins, the diocesan website, the diocesan newspaper and other avenues to reach out to others who have witnessed, suspected or experienced Schmelzer's sex crimes to contact police and proseuctor's.

WHEN
Monday, January 29, 9:15 a.m.

WHERE
Outside the Toledo diocese headquarters 1933 Spielbusch Ave.

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

WHY
Yesterday, church officials announced that the Vatican has upheld the removal of Fr. Joseph Schmelzer from ministry.

At the news conference, two insider church documents will be released. One is a letter to a Schmelzer victim from diocesan staff that shows they were intentionally deceptive and insensitive to the victim. The other is a recommendation from the bishop's hand-picked abuse advisory board showing that nearly four years ago, the panel urged that Schmelzer recieved sex offender treatment.

Until just a few months ago, Schmelzer held an Ohio state teacher's license. It was revoked after SNAP testified before the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio sent regarding his licensures and turned that information over to an investigative reporter with the Blade and state officials.

In 2002, Toledo Catholic Diocesan Chancellor Fr. Michael Billian participated in an on air interview with WSPD in which he defended keeping Schmelzer, despite the credible allegations of sexual abuse reported to diocesan officals nearly 10 years prior. In 2004, the diocese gave $12,000 to one of Schmelzer's victims. SNAP knows of at least two others who were molested by the priest.

Church officials got at least one indepth abuse report about sexual abuse against Schmelzer in 1992-1993. Over the years, Toledo Catholic leaders have gotten dozens of letters from SNAP and one of Schmelzer's
victims, begging them to aggressively seek out and help others who were hurt by the cleric and to remove him permenantly. That request will be repeated today.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070128/NEWS10/701280376

CONTACT
Claudia Vercellotti 419 350 9234 email snaptoledo@aol.com
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790

For more information on SNAP: www.snapnetwork.org