The Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has issued a press statement calling for more action by the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada and others to be more proactive in searching for victims of Episcopal priest and admitted child abuser, Bede Parry:
For immediate release: Friday, June 24, 2011
Predator priest quits, “Not enough” victims say
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach CA, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (949 322 7434, jcasteix@gmail.com)
Fr. Parry, an admitted child molester, is quitting his post at a Las Vegan Episcopalian church. While we’re glad he won’t be working there, this isn’t enough.
Church officials – both Episcopalian and Catholic – owe their parishioners and the public an explanation and an apology for recklessly giving him access to children. They must also publicly and aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered Parry’s crimes. To stay silent or do nothing is irresponsible.
Let’s hope that every person who has any information or suspicions about Parry – or other clergy sex crimes and cover ups – will find the courage and strength to call police so that the full truth might become clear.
To current and former Las Vegas Catholics and Episcopalians, we say: If you have knowledge or suspicions – however old, small or seemingly insignificant – about Parry’s crimes, it is your moral and civic duty to call police. Please summon the courage to do what’s right, call law enforcement and hopefully prevent more devastated lives.
Church officials shouldn’t split hairs, make excuses, and be silent. Whether a predator is a diocesan or religious order cleric, alive or dead, Protectant or Catholic, still in Nevada or moved elsewhere doesn’t matter. The shepherds have a duty to protect his flock, help law enforcement, warn unsuspecting families and work hard to find and help others who’ve been wounded.
Read more about this story on the Café.
h/t to Wounded Bird
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Marshall, when church leaders allow legal concerns to trump pastoral concerns, they head down the wrong path. I don’t cut them slack. We need to hear from the PB or someone on her staff.
June Butler
This is so heartbreaking, and 815’s silence makes it doubly-so.
June, it should be that simple. However, since a suit has already been filed, nothing can be simple.
That said, the more information that can be shared, the better.
Marshall Scott
The folks in SNAP have a saying that higher leadership in every part of the church catholic should give careful heed:
“THE FIRST ONE (predation) IS NOT FREE!!!”
I don’t get it. Some people get so stonewalled and ran-around that they drop out of the process toward ordination and we miss out on some folks who should have been awesome clergy. Yet monsters like this somehow charm and weasel their way into holy orders, and even pull the wool over otherwise capable and bright prelates like KJS. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE PROCESS???