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Group calls for victim's privacy

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John Lowe/The Daily Jeffersonian
December 7, 2007

An advocacy group for victims of sexual abuse is urging Bishop R. Daniel Conlon to protect the identity of a victim allegedly assaulted 16 years ago by Fr. Gary Zalenski.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests reports that the privacy of the alleged victim has been breached by some Catholics.

"Some Catholics have written mean-spirited letters to area newspapers and have made insensitive, revealing remarks on Internet blogs," SNAP Co-leader Judy Jones said.

The Daily Jeffersonian has published no such letters.

Several weeks ago, Bishop Conlon suspended Father Zalenski as pastor of a parish because of "credible allegations" of abuse of a minor that reportedly occurred 16 years ago at St. Peter and Paul Parish in Lore City.

Those allegations were forwarded to Guernsey County, but the alleged victim had not filed a formal complaint with the Guernsey County Sheriff's office, Sheriff Mike McCauley said.

Father Zalenski has denied the allegations.

(jlowe@daily-jeff.com)

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