Nov. 23, 2005

Dear Mr. McCullouch:

We are writing to formally request an investigation into whether or not Fr. Thomas Graham, who was convicted of forcible sodomy three months ago, violated state law by living at a church retirement center near the Berry Patch Child Care Center.

Berry Patch is at 670 S. Laclede Station Rd. Shrewsbury, Mo. 63119 and it is right next door (to the south) of the entrance to Regina Cleri which is at #10 Archbishop May Dr. Shrewsbury, Mo. 63119. The properties adjoin each other. (We believe that the center rents space from the Cure of Ars Church.)

We understand that a Missouri statute forbids any person who has plead guilty to, been convicted of or found guilty of a sex crime cannot live within 1000 ft of a school or child-care facility. www.moga.mo.gov/statutesearch. (The statues are 566.147 for the residency statute and 210.201 for the description of a child-care facility.)

We are aware that Graham was convicted under an older statute, and that this may therefore not be a “cut and dried” situation. That’s why we are urging that you investigate this matter promptly and thoroughly, and publicly make your findings known.

Regardless of the ultimate legal outcome of this, we of course believe it was reckless for archdiocesan officials to allow Graham to live so close to The Berry Patch, which has 45 children ranging in age from two to six. We have indicated that in a recent letter to Archbishop Burke.

If you feel likewise, we would be grateful if you would also communicate your concerns to him, in the hopes that he will not permit a similar situation to occur in the future and in the hopes that he might move the six or seven admitted, proven or credibly accused abusive clerics who still live at Regina Cleri.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

David Clohessy
National Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
7234 Arsenal Street
St. Louis MO 63143
645 5915, cell: 566 9790 or 401 9401

Barbara Dorris
Outreach Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
6245 Westminster Place
Saint Louis MO 63130
862 7688