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SNAPSteubenville Press Release and Letter to Bishop Conlon, December 6, 2007


For immediate release: Thursday, Dec. 6

For more information: Judy Jones 636-433-2511, Helen Schoeppner 740-568-8213; David Clohessy  314-566-9790

Clergy sex abuse victims write Steubenville bishop
 
They beg him to educate and warn church members
 
Group feels some are violating privacy of recent victim who came forward

"Those hurt by pedophile priests deserve compassion, not hostility," SNAP says

For the second time in two weeks, a support group for clergy sex abuse victims is asking an Ohio bishop to take more action about child sex abuse allegations against a local Catholic priest.
 
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are writing to Bishop R. Daniel Conlon about Fr. Gary Zalenski. SNAP is pleading with Conlon to help protect the privacy of Zalenski's alleged victim.

On Nov. 17th, the bishop removed Zalenski from active ministry because of a credible allegation that Zalenski had sexually assaulted a minor in 1991.
But since that move, SNAP says, some Catholics have written "mean spirited" letters in area newspapers and made "insensitive, revealing" remarks on web blogs that "may have already violated this victim's privacy." 
 
"This disrespect and harshness has caused great concern for supporters and survivors of sex abuse of southeastern Ohio," said SNAP leader Judy Jones. "We are begging Conlon to be a good shepherd, protect the wounded, and warn his flock about respecting the privacy of victims."

Last week, SNAP also wrote Conlon, criticizing him for waiting at least two months before suspending Zalenski. In news accounts, Zalenski claims he learned of the allegation on Sept. 12, more than two months before he was suspended.

 “This delay gave Zalenski plenty of time to intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, destroy evidence and fabricate alibis,” said SNAP co-leader Helen Schoeppner of  Marietta. “It also left more kids vulnerable to other sex crimes by Zalenkski.”
 
SNAP is also concerned about several apparent gaps in Zalenski's work history. According to the Official Catholic Director, Zalenski
at least three times - 1984, 1992 and 1999
 took what seem to be unexplained ‘leaves of absence'. Often, SNAP leaders say, such ‘gaps’ indicate that a sexually troubled cleric was sent away for ‘treatment.’

“Both of our concerns about Conlon’s delay and the victim’s privacy are serious and remain un-addressed,” said Jones. “Harsh public disregard for a victim’s confidentiality and feelings could well cause other victims of Zalenski – or other predators - to stay silent.”

SNAP is the nation's oldest and largest self help group for men, women and children who have been sexually exploited and assaulted by clergy. Despite the word priests in SNAP's name, the organization welcomes and helps anyone hurt by religious figures in any denomination. The group's Southeastern Ohio chapter also has a web site: SteubenvilleTruth.org
 
A copy of SNAP's letter to Conlon, sent today by fax and e mail, is below.
 

 
Dec. 6, 2007

Dear Bishop Conlon:

Our hearts ache for the woman who was abused as a young girl by Fr Gary Zalenski.  We especially worry about her because a few individuals (most likely Catholics) are not respecting her confidentiality and are saying mean-spirited, unsubstantiated things about her in public.
 
We beg you to please warn church members about the harm that is done when victims are treated harshly in public and educate church members about why honoring victim's confidentiality is important and morally right.

It is your duty as their Bishop to take this action, especially since a few may have already violated this victim's privacy. In letters to editors and on web blogs, some have already made statements and claims that could further harm an already traumatized woman and could provide enough information that others might figure out her identity.

Bishop Conlon, as you must already know, it takes tremendous courage for a survivor of sex abuse to come forward. They definitely do not need to be re-victimized and re-abused by anyone. This person has been through enough.

Callous disregard for victims' privacy also creates another problem. It scares and intimidates other victims and witnesses into staying silent. This, in turn, let's predators go undetected and makes further crimes possible.
 
Other individuals who may have been abused by Fr Zalenski - or other predators (clergy or non-clergy) - will hesitate to come forward and report their abuse if they see individuals (especially church-goers) attack victims in public.

Please, for the sake of wounded victims and vulnerable kids, inform and educate your parishioners about how to support an accused priest (if they like) quietly, without disparaging accusers. Teach them that harsh public comments about victims and alleged victims hurt everyone, and warn them to have respect for the privacy of the victim.
 
You have considerable resources: a diocesan web site, a diocesan newspaper, dozens of weekly parish bulletins and employees and volunteers. Use these resources to create and foster a healthy climate that welcomes, not punishes, those who report clergy sex crimes. To passively sit back, and let others spread scurrilous rumors and personal information about Zalenski's accuser, is to essentially endorse such unChristian behavior.

Judy Jones, SNAP Leader Steubenville
17170 Deer Mountain Rd.
Marthasville, Mo  63357
636-433-2511
SNAPSteubenville@hughes.net

Helen Schoeppner , SNAP Co-leader Steubenville
103 Social Row
Marietta, Oh. 45750
740-568-8213
hjshep13@suddenlink.net



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