Protest at diocese claims ‘injustices’ by diocese

STEUBENVILLE -- Two leaders from the Survivors of those Abused by Priests held a protest outside the Diocese of Steubenville in regard to what they are calling "injustices" by the diocese.

Judy Jones, the SNAP Midwest regional leader, and Steven Spaner, the SNAP Australian volunteer coordinator, were in Jefferson County to bring attention to what they feel is an incomplete list of abusers and insensitive behavior by the diocese.

SNAP is claiming that the list of abusive clergy members should include eight more names.

Jones said that the absence of the eight names makes the victims feel abused again.

"The victims want the coverup to stop," she said. "That's almost worse than the abuse."

Dino Orsatti, the director of communications for the diocese, said the diocese feels they have been transparent with its list.

"We feel our list was complete and thorough," he said. "We don't feel we have any other names (to add.) When we do we will add them."

Orsatti said that in some cases, the suspected abuser may still be under investigation. Until that is complete, he said they will not add the name, he said.

SNAP also claimed the Steubenville diocese is only one of three in the country that has a priest taking the calls of alleged victims of abuse. Currently those calls are answered by the Rev. James M. Dunfee, vicar general, and then passed on to a review board.

SNAP says this practice is insensitive to the callers and in some cases discourages the caller from reporting abuse. They are calling on the diocese to change this practice and replace Dunfee with a non-Catholic, licensed counselor. SNAP advises all victims to first contact law enforcement in the case of abuse.

Orsatti said Thursday's protest was the first the diocese was made aware that SNAP found this to be an issue. He could not say if the diocese has plans to change the practice.

Orsatti said that anyone wanting to get information on the review board can access the diocese website at www.diosteub.org. The site lists the members of the review board, the current list of accused priests and information on protecting children from abuse.

SNAP is also hoping to get the attention of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The group wants the state to remove the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases so that more abusers will face prosecution.

"(Victims) want their day in court," Jones said. "Victims need some sort of justice. It's hard for the victims to stand in public, that's why we are here and we are not going to go away."

Orsatti agrees that all victims are the first priority in this case.

"Our main concern is the victims," he said.