Out to Media - Brownsville Statement
For immediate release: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell)
We wish Brownsville's new bishop well, and hope that a breath of fresh air in this diocese will help heal the still fresh wounds of both clergy sex abuse victims who are suffering and Catholics who are feeling betrayed because of the church's on going child sex abuse and cover up scandal.
It's ironic that Brownsville's new bishop was named today. It was five year ago today that media reports surfaced suggesting that Brownsville's former bishop may have helped a predator priest flee the US and escape justice. (see below)
There's a tendency among Catholics, however, to assume that almost any new bishop will be better than the old one. However, wishful thinking and naive assumptions don't protect kids. Only vigilance protects kids. So we urge Brownsville Catholics to remember that children are safe when abuse suspicions and reports go to law enforcement officials, not to Catholic church officials.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 21 years and have more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers.
Our website is SNAPnetwork.org Contacts: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Peter Isely (414-429-7259), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003)
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2004_12_09_AP_BrownsvilleBishop_Basil_Onyia_10.htm
Brownsville Bishop Says He Never Advised Priest to Flee
Associated Press - December 9, 2004
Brownsville Catholic Bishop Raymundo Pena has denied that he ever advised a priest wanted on sexual assault and abuse charges to flee the country.
The Rev. Basil Onyia fled to his native Nigeria in 2001, days before a warrant could be issued for his arrest stemming from allegations that he sexually abused a mentally retarded girl. Onyia claimed in a story in Monday's editions of The Dallas Morning News that the Brownsville bishop advised him to leave the country.
The bishop, who earlier would not confirm or deny Onyia's claim, has since responded on the diocese's Web site.
"Bishop Pena never advised Father Onyia to go back to Nigeria, and we are surprised that Father Onyia is working as a priest there," the statement said.
"It is unfortunate that he did not remain in this country to address the allegations made against him," Pena is quoted saying in the statement.
The Morning News tracked Onyia to Nigeria, where he has worked in parish ministry since disappearing from South Texas in 2001.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra charged Onyia but has not tried to extradite him for trial.
Onyia has said he never attacked his teenage accuser — a mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed incest victim. A witness told the newspaper that she saw the priest apologize to the accuser's family and blamed his actions on the devil.
Barbara Dorris
National Outreach Director
314-862-7688
SNAPnetwork.org
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell)
We wish Brownsville's new bishop well, and hope that a breath of fresh air in this diocese will help heal the still fresh wounds of both clergy sex abuse victims who are suffering and Catholics who are feeling betrayed because of the church's on going child sex abuse and cover up scandal.
It's ironic that Brownsville's new bishop was named today. It was five year ago today that media reports surfaced suggesting that Brownsville's former bishop may have helped a predator priest flee the US and escape justice. (see below)
There's a tendency among Catholics, however, to assume that almost any new bishop will be better than the old one. However, wishful thinking and naive assumptions don't protect kids. Only vigilance protects kids. So we urge Brownsville Catholics to remember that children are safe when abuse suspicions and reports go to law enforcement officials, not to Catholic church officials.
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 21 years and have more than 9,000 members across the country. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers.
Our website is SNAPnetwork.org Contacts: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Peter Isely (414-429-7259), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003)
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2004_12_09_AP_BrownsvilleBishop_Basil_Onyia_10.htm
Brownsville Bishop Says He Never Advised Priest to Flee
Associated Press - December 9, 2004
Brownsville Catholic Bishop Raymundo Pena has denied that he ever advised a priest wanted on sexual assault and abuse charges to flee the country.
The Rev. Basil Onyia fled to his native Nigeria in 2001, days before a warrant could be issued for his arrest stemming from allegations that he sexually abused a mentally retarded girl. Onyia claimed in a story in Monday's editions of The Dallas Morning News that the Brownsville bishop advised him to leave the country.
The bishop, who earlier would not confirm or deny Onyia's claim, has since responded on the diocese's Web site.
"Bishop Pena never advised Father Onyia to go back to Nigeria, and we are surprised that Father Onyia is working as a priest there," the statement said.
"It is unfortunate that he did not remain in this country to address the allegations made against him," Pena is quoted saying in the statement.
The Morning News tracked Onyia to Nigeria, where he has worked in parish ministry since disappearing from South Texas in 2001.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra charged Onyia but has not tried to extradite him for trial.
Onyia has said he never attacked his teenage accuser — a mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed incest victim. A witness told the newspaper that she saw the priest apologize to the accuser's family and blamed his actions on the devil.
Barbara Dorris
National Outreach Director
314-862-7688
SNAPnetwork.org
20 comments:
I don't know how the Leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, and in particular this Pope, can look people in the eyes and say they didn't know that the children, young people and vulnerable adults of Our Church were being sexually butchered by Catholic Priests, Brothers, Deacons, Nuns and (YES) even some Bishops. The Clergy and Hierarchy of the Catholic Church are Graceless Traitors to Almighty GOD and to HIS People.
Do NOT give the Roman Church your money or leave your children alone with them.
Let us pray that Our Church will soon have a new generation of Church leaders that recognizes that Christ's true message to his disciples was one to SERVE, not to BE SERVED.
Maybe Bishop Flores will prove to be part of that NEW BREED within our Church.
WISHFUL THINKING
Joel, it was never up to a group of self appointed and exclusive 'leaders' to guide the Body of Christ. It is up to all of us; let's take hold of our charge and tell the new bish what we expect of him.
I got no use for no bishop.
Give thanks that Pena trashed your beloved parish and allowed you to see the truth of the church. There is no need for it in the modern world.
Just maybe the new bishop will put a stop to this nonsense. The group that left the church needed to. Life is certainly much better at H.S. One can now go and worship in peace and not war. Glad that the new bishop will be with us soon and hopefully he will tell all of you a thing or two. The blame is always on the church and never on the those wannabees....Merry Christmas....
Luigi....
Hey Luigi,
I agree with you. People who left H.S. are still complaining...You would think they would have found a place to situate in. Just goes to show you how they operate. Control is a biggy for them. No control, life is miserable. Full control, life is wonderful. Go figure...Boan Natalie Luigi....
Guido
Hey Guido,
All I know is that I am happy at H.S. and I am sure you and your family are happy. Can't wait to celebrate this evening. It is the most wonderful time of the year! Too bad all people can't be happy. I guess there is always room for bahumbugs! See you at the celebration....
Luigi
Yeah! Luigi and Guida are right! We luv to worship Louey at HS and read this blog! -Curly
As one of the old timers who still attends HSP I must agree with anonymous 'Luigi' and 'Guido' that the church is certainly more 'peaceful' now. But it is a peace of conformity and spiritual oppression, the kind of 'peace' into which our Savior was born during this time of the year for which we now celebrate. But there is no celebration; I miss the liveliness of all of those who have left. So many people have left; it is so sad. I only recognize the few sycophants from before; almost everyone else is transient. Remember how super packed the church used to be? Now there is plenty of room to stretch out despite all the new houses that have been built in the parish in the last 5 years. And the collection basket only has dollar bills in it; you don't see envelopes. I don't know who is bankrolling the parish these days; there is no financial accounting. So sad, but, yes, 'peaceful'.
Hey Curly,
We said we liked the peacefulness. We never said we worship Louie and if you are refering to Monsignor then shame on you.
Luigi and Guido
Guido and Luigi: Glad you love this blog!
Curly
I notice it didn't take much time for 'Luigi' and 'Guido' to get together and use a common signature! ;-)
They say they don't worship Louey yet they call him 'My Lord' (Monsignor)!
Moe...are you jealous that we use the same signature. Maybe we can now sign it as: Moe, Luigi and Guido. Duh! We are friends and we do talk to one another. What seems to be your problem. Moe you must be one of those wannabees. We can all be friends if you would just let go and let God...
Happy New Year, Luigi
Your right, Moe: 'Luigi' and 'Guido' are either one and the same or 'very close' if you know what I mean!
There you go Larry...assume things that are not correct. You know what happens when you assume. I guess you have no friends Larry. Me and Luigi have been friends for years. We are married to sisters....figure it out....Guido
Happy New Year to all who read this blog....
P.S. Larry we are all invited to God's house even those who dance to a different drummer....
Yeah, me, Moe, Larry and Curly are all married to sisters!
Someone should have subpoena Pena's financial information when Onyia went missing and perhaps they would have found the incriminating evidence that would have proven Pena's complicity in Onyia's absconding from the Valley.
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