Shine a Light on Sexual Abuse

By Robert Fontana
Yakima Herald Republic
January 15, 2013

http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/latestopinion/659617-8/shine-a-light-on-sexual-abuse

To the editor — I’m confused. Catholic officials have reported that 40 years ago visiting priest Father Horatio Ramirez abused four boys in Moses Lake. Yet these officials have still not released the names of all clergy and lay persons on its list of credibly accused sexual predators who served at churches in Central Washington including Holy Redeemer, St. Joe’s, St. Paul’s and Holy Family.

Also, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported on a lawsuit related to sexual predator Father Dale Calhoun. He is one of seven known sexual predators serving at St. Paul Cathedral within a 10-year period in the 1960s and ’70s who preyed on minors: Fathers Sondergeld, Calhoun, Scully, Dolan, Breen, O’Connor, and an unnamed priest (see votfcentralwashington.org). There are also allegations against an unnamed layman from that time.

How could eight sexual predators at one church get away with their crimes for over a decade, and at the Cathedral Parish?

Calhoun is still a priest incardinated in the diocese.

Why bring this up? To challenge the diocese to release the names of all clergy and lay persons who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse, and to invite their victims to report the abuse to law enforcement and the Survivors Network (1-877-762-7432).