A national group that represents victims
of suspected abuses by priests has called for the Diocese of Monterey
to release all information about prior allegations in light of
accusations against a San Juan Bautista clergyman of misconduct in 2005.
An
official for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP,
held a press conference Wednesday outside the diocese office in
Monterey and also accused the church of knowing about another suspected
sexual incident reported, 19 years ago, involving the same priest.
The
press conference by the organization, followed by a response from the
diocese, came a day after a 21-year-old man filed a lawsuit alleging
Father Edward Fitz-Henry, a longtime priest for Mission San Juan
Bautista, sexually abused the accuser six years ago.
Fitz-Henry has
denied the allegations, according to his attorney.
"I'm glad they
suspended him indefinitely, but I wish it was sooner," said Joelle
Casteix, the western regional director for SNAP, four members of which
also held signs, such as one reading "Will not be silent," while
gathered in front of the church setting.
Following the SNAP
group's press conference, diocese spokesman Tom Riordan also talked and
answered questions.
He confirmed the criminal investigation by the
Salinas Police Department, regarding the 2005 allegations, still is
under way.
He also expressed support for SNAP and other organizations
that help accusing victims.
"Anything that could help a victim in cases like these, I think it's a good thing," he said.
But
Casteix, in referring to what she called a "2,000-year-old" problem of
the Catholic Church, contended that the diocese has not done enough
historically to address such suspected abuses.
She also alleged an
investigator hired by the diocese at times has harassed witnesses.
Casteix contended the diocese should pull back on its own investigations
and allow the police authorities to handle them.
The diocese
spokesman addressed the organization's claim about the prior, suspected
incident 19 years ago by responding how "hindsight is 20-20."
He said
the diocese at the time viewed the situation as possibly passing
appropriate professional boundaries, and noted how church officials held
a meeting with Fitz-Henry to express concern.
Riordan also
pointed out that the diocese has a six-person review board that examines
such allegations to determine whether they are credible, and said the
diocese releases accusations only if they are deemed so.