Abuse Victim Advocates Say Marianists Needed To Do More In Chaminade Case
The order which runs Chaminade College Prep in Creve Coeur announced Monday that allegations of sexual misconduct by a pair of former teachers was deemed credible.
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Outspoken advocates for victims of child sex abuse continued to pressure the religious order in charge of Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, one day after the order released a statement announing that it found allegations of sexual abuse by two now-deceased teachers there as credible.
Representatives with SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, held a Tuesday morning press conference in front of the Central West End Provincial Headquarters for the Marianist order.
"It's a belated and begrudging, and very, very partial bare-minimum outreach effort that Marianists did obviously because they were prodded into doing so," said SNAP's David Clohessy. Clohessy has suggested that a letter which went out to Chaminade students who attended the school at the time the two men who were identified by the Marianist order should have gone out to all Marianist schools and all Catholic schools in the St. Louis area. He also said victims should have been encouraged to contact law enforcement.
A Marianist spokeswoman said the order's Provincial leadership has been spending the last several weeks since the letter to Chaminade alumni went out talking with those who responded. A statement Monday said more than a dozen alumni indicated they had witnessed abusive behavior.
The spokeswoman said the Marianists were "not ignoring police," but reminded reporters that the men identified in Monday's disclosure had died, and that the allegations stem back thirty years.
She reserved further comment on how the order reached a decision to declare the allegations raised as credible until she could consult with other officials and records.
Judy Jones
5:42 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
"The spokeswoman said the Marianists were "not ignoring police," but reminded reporters that the men identified in Monday's disclosure had died, and that the allegations stem back thirty years."
So that is still not excuse, It is in the best interest for victims and for protecting our kids today to get this abuse on record with the police.
These victims are to be commended for speaking up and taking action to expose the truth and therefore protect kids today.
Hopefully others who have been harmed by Marianists, Brother Meinhardt, Fr. William Christensen, Fr. Robert R. Osborne, Brother William Mueller, Fr. Daniel A. Triulzi, Brother Tony Pistone and/or Brother Woulfe, will also have the courage to come forward and contact police, know matter how long ago the abuse took place.
Keep in mind your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others. Also know that you are not alone, and there is hope and help.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511 <snapjudy@gmail.com>
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" and all clergy.
BillHannegan
9:15 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Dear Fr. Solma,
I received your January 17th letter concerning Bro. Louis Meinhardt and Bro. John Woulfe.
I attended Chaminade from 1969 through 1975. I was instructed then by both Bro. Louis Meinhardt and Bro. John Woulfe. Some of the playful and affectionate interaction with myself and other students by both men was inappropriate by today's standards and could be mistakenly reinterpreted as sexual abuse. But I believe it was not. Never in my time at Chaminade did I experience or witness any sexual interaction between any teacher and any student.
I am grateful to all my teachers at Chaminade. Please let me know any way I can help defend the reputation of these two good men.
Sincerely,
Bill Hannegan
Home phone: 314.367.3779
Cell phone: 314.315.3779