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Abuse support group is critical of bishop
TweetBishop George Murry responds to national support group for clergy sex-abuse victims.
YOUNGSTOWN — SNAP, a Chicago-based national support group for clergy sex-abuse victims, claims Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown “is ignoring” its request for a public meeting on sexual misconduct by the clergy, and specifically the case of the Rev. Thomas Crum.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests plans a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Boardman branch of Youngs-town-Mahoning County Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave.
“I have made myself available to speak to individuals in the diocese about this matter. We are not accountable to an outside group,” Bishop Murry said. “They have every right to hold a meeting.”
He also noted attorneys for the diocese took the proper steps by alerting law enforcement to the allegations against Father Crum, and the police continue to investigate.
In an e-mail, the group said it wanted to have the meeting because the bishop hasn’t responded to a request. Judy Jones, SNAP Southeastern Ohio director, called the meeting educational and informational. She said survivors of clergy abuse also would speak.
SNAP is referring to recent allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Crum. The first complaint of sexual assault was by a person who was a student at Cardinal Mooney High School in 1975 and 1976. The bishop was contacted May 22 by the victim; Father Crum was removed from the ministry shortly after that.
Since then, two other people have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct by Father Crum. Bishop Murry updated that number to four, noting another person came forward in late June. The bishop said the latest allegation, along with the previous ones, are still being investigated.
In a letter sent June 24 to Bishop Murry, SNAP said urged the leader of the diocese to:
UHave an open public meeting.
UVisit each parish where Father Crum was assigned and urge victims and witnesses to contact police.
USend a second, more emphatic and explicit letter to those who attended a school with which Father Crum was affiliated.
UAlert Youngstown Police Department as to where Father Crum is being housed.
Bishop Murry responded by addressing SNAP’s points:
UYoungstown police and the Mahoning County prosecutor “know where Father Crum is.” The bishop said Father Crum is still undergoing treatment at a private psychiatric hospital and is under constant supervision.
UThe letter sent to former Cardinal Mooney students “was explicit,” Bishop Murry said. “People clearly understood what was said in the letter by the e-mails, letters and phone calls we have received.” A letter explaining what had happened was read at Our Lady of Peace in Canton, where Father Crum was pastor. Another letter was sent to every church where he served and read the weekend following his removal as pastor at Our Lady of Peace.
UBishop Murry said in the near future he will be celebrating Mass and meeting with individuals who have concerns at Our Lady of Peace Church, where Father Crum was assigned when he was removed as pastor. Bishop Murry said a response team of the Vicar of Clergy, superintendent of schools and professional counselor were available June 12 at Our Lady of Peace School. “We have done outreach to the parish,” he said. As for visiting other parishes where Father Crum served, Bishop Murry said the current pastors know their people and parish and he and the pastors encourage anyone to come forward if they were victimized.
UAs for a public meeting: “The message is clearly out there,” Bishop Murry said, noting the response he has received at the diocesan offices by phone calls, e-mail and letters. Bishop Murry said the media has been “very helpful” by repeating his words encouraging anyone who was abused by Father Crum to report it to the diocese or police. Call the victim assistance coordinator at (330) 744-8451.
XSNAP’s Web site is www.snapnetwork.org. Judy Jones is SNAP Southeastern Ohio director; her contact number is (636) 433-2511.
Comments
I so wish the Bishop would stop commenting that the priest is in "treatment" when research clearly shows pedophiles, molestors and rapists cannot be "treated" or "cured". The church must move itself into the light of that truth! There is NO cure for these persons.
Lifesnadir did you ever think that his treatment may be for something other than pedophilia?
This SNAP meeting is open to the public, and I especially encourage Canton folks to attend, since that is last location where Crum was assigned.
If you have any questions, please contact:
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314-566-9790 cell.
or
Judy Block Jones, SNAP director southeastern Ohio, 314-974-5003 cell.... 636-433-2511 hm...
There are very few Roman Catholic Bishops still in power who, directly, or indirectly, do not have blood on their hands. Most of these men have ridden to their present positions of wealth and power over the bloodied and tortured bodies of the sexually butchered children, young people and vulnerable adults of our church.
I am really beginning to believe that this SNAP org. would rather just "string" Fr. Crum up to the nearest tree.
The Bishop of Youngstown has done more than his share to accommodate everyone in this matter except for this SNAP group.
Trying to storm the gates of heaven with your self-righteousness will get you no where.
I am so grateful that I made the trip to Youngstown, Ohio to conduct this public SNAP meeting, because now, another victim of Crum has come forward. Overwhelmingly sad that this priest has harmed so many innocent lives.
Judy Block Jones, SNAP Director Southeastern Ohio, 636-433-2511
snapsteubenville@gmail.com
David Clohessy. SNAP National Director,
314-566-9790
Snapclohessy@aol.com
"Accusers" also lie. I believe all of them should take polygraph tests and then we'll know the real truth.
Times are tough and money is short. What a way for someone to cash in on a lawsuit.
dck516, I agree with you that all should take a polygraph test, then the truth would be known...
tks, Judy
dck516: This "SNAP group," as you reference them, is a 20 year old organization of persons with two missions: 1) healing the victims of clergy sexual abuse, and 2) protecting the children and vulnerable adults of the religious from victimization by clergy through education, exposure, and accountability. Over 95% of the persons associated with SNAP were baptized Catholic. Over 90% were direct victims of clergy sexual abuse. One to two percent are the parents, spouses, or friends of a victim who has committed suicide because they could no longer stand the pain, shame, isolation, and re-abuse by the Church's denial of their claim. WHY ARE ANY OF THEM HAVING TO ASK ANY BISHOP OR THE FAITHFUL MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH for healing and protection of the children of the Church!? "Self-righteousness"! You and the faithful followers of the Church, the priests, and the Church leaders should be so "self-righteousness."
If an accuser has committed suicide over this abuse than they had an underlying problem in the first place.
We now see how countless of people have been put in prison for crimes that they never committed.
Polygraph tests for all who jumped in on this bandwagon after Fr. Crum admitted his guilt on the first offense.
PAX
dck516: "If an accuser has committed suicide over this abuse than they had an underlying problem in the first place." You are pathetic! Not only is your logic and reasoning faulty but your sense of right and wrong is totally upside down. NO child or vulnerable adult asks to be abused. Children do not start out with "an underlying problem". Predatory clergy have problems and they victimize the weak, innocent, and vulnerable. As for polygraph tests, YES please ask every accused priest, their Bishop, and the full chain of command right up to the Vatican to submit to such a test AND ask every victim/alleged victim to do the same. I know of two instances where the victim voluntarily submitted to a polygraph test and the priest perpetrator refused. One is a recently removed priest in the Steubenville diocese. So dck516, please push forward and get everyone, priests and accusers to submit to a polygraph test.
soothsayer: I do know right from wrong. I would have had enough sense to get away from the situation before it turned into an incident. And I wouldn't have waited 30 plus years before crying about it.
You must be lonely hanging on your cross.
Seems to me the bish is doing all he can LEGALLY as I am sure Fr. Crum has an associate..........errrrrr..........I mean attorney. BTW, I do not condone what Crum did. I think he should have been tossed out on his ear. But then who would he supposedly molest first?
Please, if anyone has any knowledge of sex abuse by Fr Crum, contact law enforcement. Do not stay quiet if you have been harmed or if you know of someone who was harmed by this man.
Please be responsible and let the truth be exposed, so that kids will be safe.
Tks, Judy Block Jones, 636-433-2511
snapsteubenville@gmail.com