Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:58:27 -0500
To: x-SteubenvilleDiocese-DeFrancis
From: Judy Jones <SNAPSteubenville@gmail.com>
Subject: Letter to Bishop Conlon

Dear Bishop R Daniel Conlon,
 
You've had more than six weeks to make a simple decision. But time is now running out. Beth Rocker needs to come back here so that Guernsey County prosecutors can talk with her face-to-face about her charges against Fr. Gary Zalenski. Delays will only keep the truth hidden longer, jeopardize children longer and make her expenses higher.
 
We are asking you to pay for Beth's round trip plane ticket to and from Israel so she can testify to the grand jury. Six weeks ago, her attorney wrote you asking the same thing. Two weeks ago, you finally replied, essentially saying you’d consider the request.  Beth needs to make a decision. And so do you.
 
If Beth is telling the truth, you can help police, prosecutors, and children by getting her back home so that a dangerous predator can be jailed. If she is lying, you can help an innocent priest clear his name.
 
If, however, you are afraid of the truth, you can do nothing. If, however, you don't care about the safety of kids, you can ignore us. But we hope you will see the wisdom and charity in helping this woman return to Ohio so that this case can be resolved, one way or another.

It's sad that you haven't given a straight answer and agreed to help. It will be even sadder if you ignore our plea for help and choose to do nothing. But one way or another, we hope and believe Beth will get back here. It would be best for everyone involved, we are convinced, if she were able to do that with your help.
 
You've expressed some concern about possibly of looking biased by helping Beth. But helping law enforcement get information about alleged crimes isn't taking sides. It's our civic duty
 
If you opt to do nothing, many will conclude that you don’t share our desire, and the prosecutor’s need, to get to the truth, and either protect innocent kids' bodies and psyches or restore an innocent adult's reputation and ministry.

ps: Beth has her flight ticket on hold for 24 hours..


Judy Block Jones of St. Louis, SNAP Director Southeastern Ohio  636-433-2511
Helen Schoeppner of Marietta, SNAP Leader Steubenville   740-568-8213
Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP Outreach Coordinator   home: 314-862-7688    cell:  314-503-0003 
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director 314-566-9790