At this point, it feels like there are almost as many lawsuits in Missouri charging priests with child abuse as there are saints' days on the calendar.
The latest one to be filed brings up some familiar names to anyone who has followed the history of these allegations against Kansas City's Catholic leaders, naming Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Reardon and Michael Tierney. The lawsuit alleges that O'Brien exposed himself to and abused an 11-year-old boy, while Reardon and Tierney made advances to the boy. Even more disturbing -- O'Brien is allegedly still active in the diocese.
Both Reardon and O'Brien have long since been out of the priesthood. Tierney is listed on the Christ the King parish website under staff as the pastor.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has called for Tierney's removal, but he's yet to be convicted of anything. The first lawsuit against him was filed last October, alleging that he molested a 13-year-old boy. That case is still pending.
In this case, the accuser's identity is being kept secret. All that's been released on him is that he still lives in Missouri and is being represented by KC attorney Rebecca Randles. Over the last decade, Randles has represented dozens of men accusing priests of molesting them as young boys.
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This stuff hits close to home. The priest at my son's (previous) school was investigated by the Missouri highway patrol and found to have child pornography in his possession. Amazingly, he got out of this by stating that the computer was anonymously donated, and the pornography was already there (without his knowledge).
The investigation relieved he had loads of regular-flavored adult pornography in his closet as well. Of course, that isn't against the law - it's only hypocritical and in bad taste.
Hopefully anyone who has been harmed by Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Reardon and Michael Tierney will contact the police. Keep in mind, your silence only hurts, but by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting other kids.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests"
Hopefully anyone who has been harmed by Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Reardon and Michael Tierney will contact the police. Keep in mind, your silence only hurts, but by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting other kids.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests"
http://www.snapnetwork.org/
Tierney faces one civil child sex abuse lawsuit. Several other kids say he talked and acted inappropriately and sexually around them too. Bishops pledged to suspend "credibly accused" priests. So why is Tierney still in a parish with largely unsuspecting families?
David Clohessy, Director, SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, (7234 Arsenal Street, St. Louis MO 63143), 314 566 9790 cell (SNAPclohessy@aol.com)
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