Bishop Mitchell Rozanski must resign his position as bishop of Springfield, MA, and Pope Francis must rescind his appointment as Archbishop of St. Louis, MO, because of his approximately six (6) year mishandling of the case of John Doe who reported three (3) clergy sexual abusers, including Bishop Christopher Weldon, to the Diocese of Springfield in approximately 2014, and was disbelieved, mistreated, revictimized, and retraumatized
The investigation by retired Judge Peter Velis and retired Springfield Police Detective Dennis O’Connor, in which they found John Doe’s allegation against Bishop Christopher Weldon “unequivocally credible,” and who termed the diocesan investigation “woefully inadequate,” is an indication that Bishop Rozanski and his appointed Diocesan Review Board are unable to investigate fairly and accurately claims of clergy sexual abuse. All of them must resign.
John Doe has courageously maintained his integrity, dignity, and truthfulness for six years, and he deserves a guarantee that Bishop Rozanski and the Diocese of Springfield, MA, will never investigate an allegation of clergy sexual abuse again.
MEDIA RELEASE – JUNE 25, 2020
What
A press conference calling for the resignation of Bishop Mitchell Rozanski as Bishop of Springfield, MA, and the rescinding of his appointment as Archbishop of St. Louis, MO, due to his approximately six-year egregious mismanagement of a clergy sexual abuse case that should have been settled in approximately 2014 by him and his appointed Diocesan Review Board.
When
Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM (please wear appropriate face coverings)
Where
On the public sidewalk in front of the headquarters of the Diocese of Springfield, MA at 65 Elliot Street, Springfield, MA 01105
Who
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; a former priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, and victim/survivor of clergy sexual abuse
Why
(See above)
Contacts
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800
