21 comments:

• Joey Piscitelli posted at 8:27 pm on Sat, Mar 17, 2012.

  Posts: 23

  Fr. Darrell Baumbach,
  I never said I represent SNAP on this forum. I do not. If, and when I do, I will state it.
  I represent Joey Piscitelli on this forum, only. Also, if I am a Buddist, Hindu, Catholic, Pagan, or atheist, it has absolutely nothing at all to do with Fr. Kelly being guilty or not.
  Fortunately, in this country, we have a right to believe or not believe in any religion, it is our free choice. Your act of religious prejudice against me does not make your arguments for Fr. Kelly more credible, they make you appear narrow minded. Again, Fr. Baumbach, the Inquistion is over. It has been for a long time.
  You also stated that Tim Lennon referred to himself as a witch, in writing, and then came back later to correct your mistake. What happened, you had a lapse in memory? Of course you did. Then you changed your public written statement. That's what happens when you have a lapse in memory. You forgot essential information that was only a few days old. Imagine that.
  Like I stated before, I won the court jury trial, and several appeals, with a total of 8 different judges, and nothing you can say, or spin, will change that. It is permanently adjudicated, and recorded officially in all the legal cases. Irrespective of my religious beliefs, the courts and judges continually upheld my accusation as not only credible, but declared them as fact, and found the Priest guilty. He was removed from ministry. And, I never had a lapse in memory, my case was continuous memory, which you keep confusing with another case.
  The pope himself has continuously admitted, and apologized in dozens of countries for the widespread abuse of children by catholic clergy. You're not going to tell me that the Pope hiumself is a liar and a catholic basher now, are you?
  Peace and good wishes to all who support child abuse victims. :)

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• Nancy Sloan posted at 11:48 pm on Thu, Mar 15, 2012.

  Posts: 24

  I have seen some of these Parishioners before they actually act like they are defending JESUS himself....which nauseates me.
  It horrified me then at the blindness of Parishioners of another Priest I am starting to wonder if there is a telephone tree of those with nothing better to do then gossip and act in a non christ like way. I remember watching the evil smirks and name calling of victims as liars. I remember then also how many people liked other priest accused. I of course am NOT saying every friendly priest is a pedophile...however THEY are good at what they do for a reason people!!!! You can stay comfortable in your judgmental towers thinking it wouldn't be you..or your family but that is a lie. It is just easier to not deal with the role of victim hood you have. How you too were betrayed. You stood up for Oliver Ogrady...Many of you I remember you. I know you visited him in jail, and insisted on his innocents. WITH that fresh in your mind...Maybe today you should just think....WHAT IF THIS PLAINTIVE WAS raped and sodomized by another of our priest??? WHAT right do you have to add to his and his families pain? Or to other survivors sitting in the room. PRACTICE what the new testimony states and remember Matthew: 5-6

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• Nancy Sloan posted at 11:36 pm on Thu, Mar 15, 2012.

  Posts: 24

  I am so perplexed at Darrell B'S comments. I have sat in the court room on several occasions. I have not seen anyone from SNAP or anyone other than Parishioners acting ungodly. I hear words being said in and out of court that could easily be over heard by the jury and attempts to sway them. I have heard vicious women with no real knowledge loudly saying "tell the truth" re when the plaintiff was asked why he was in court and then "MONEY MONEY MONEY" loudly and venomously spat out. Is this what your Catholic upbringing has taught those who eagerly hope to see this plaintiff crumble? Shame on you.
  I think your very own Monsignor Ryan has no issues with recovered memories as today he took the stand and under oath spoke of Father Kelly adamantly denying even and any memory of babysitting and then when it was brought up the difference in later evidence to the contrary Monsigner Ryan said there must have been a lapse in Memory, Why would he tell later if he was covering it up. FIRST of all...let me tell you there is MORE PAIN then any FINANCIAL gain any non victim can ever think this process gives. IT is the one last chance a victim has to right a wrong...It would be so nice if you could see Jesus in EVERYONE as you claim.

  Also Monsignor Ryan himself seemed to have some repressed memory today as he stated I believe that he has never known ANYONE in the Diocese of Stockton to EVER have BABYSAT any child! (see painful unpleasant memories are easy to not think about...imagine how much worse if you are a child who's psychological hold on survival is putting away those thoughts....SOMETIMES our minds are THAT Kind). If you are as you claim being fair...THEN FRIGGIN be fair. get educated

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 3:58 pm on Mon, Mar 12, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  correction:

  It was Joey Piscitelli that referred to himself as " a Witch".. who is the Northern California director of SNAP ...not Tim Lennon who is the SNAP director in San Francisco.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:53 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  K Lee stated...Darrell: Your opinions and perceptions of the people that post here are not facts.

  Unless you are calling the SNAP representatives liars, what I have posted is what they stated. They state father Kelly is guilty... they state he is a rapist. Tim Lennon referred to himself as the first witch in United States to win a court case against the church.. He has also referred to himself as a Pagan, which he thanked me for confirming. Tim also stated he was abused when he was about 12 and that he did not remember it until a couple of years ago... for 30 years, he could not remember. Suddenly, when it is popular to sue priests and millions of dollars are being awarded mostly in settlements, Tim remembers he was abused... just like father Kelly's case... all these are admitted facts... not my words.
  Maybe if you stated something I said in error, I could offer a correction. Unfortunately, your statement had “NO” information to understand exactly what you are referring to... typical K Lee in action.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:34 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  CONTINUED...

  I on the other hand am simply reacting to SNAPS coordinated effort to shape opinion that the trial is irrelevant and guilt is a fact.

  I have said I do not know if he is guilty of innocent. I have said I hope the jury is wise and assumes innocence until proven guilty.

  I think SNAP is not reasonable and is inappropriate. Therefore, I am not trying to “CONTROLL” public opinion because if I were, I would be staying that father Kelly is innocent , which I have not done.I am simply offering a different perspective as a reaction to what they are saying.
  I am really surprised that you would heap praise and admiration on a group that is more of a lynch mob that an advocate for justice.
  

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:31 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  K Lee stated...Isn't that exactly what you are doing, Darrell ( attempting to control public opinion )

  Thank you for the good question K Lee.

  The SNAP organization is heavily involved in most Child abuse accusations nation wide. Tim Lennon just announced in February that he retired in order to devote full time attention to his cause.
  Tim and his group was claiming father Kelly was guilty prior to the trial beginning. Tim was at the Stockton court house on a daily basis for this trial. He then posted information in terms that concluded father Kelly was proven guilty (past tense) as he is a witness to the court proceedings. All this, and he has not heard one word from the defense except that father Kelly passed a lie detector test with ease.
  

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• K Lee posted at 11:17 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 1786

  Darrell: Your opinions and perceptions of the people that post here are not facts.

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• K Lee posted at 10:25 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 1786

  Darrell wrote, "Predictably, SNAP”S credibility is at stake and is attempting to control public opinion... "

  Isn't that exactly what you are doing, Darrell.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 5:56 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  Predictably, SNAP”S credibility is at stake and is attempting to control public opinion... they (SNAP ) considers Steier’s remarks to be outrageous. They now dismiss this mans real experience and legally filed complain by stating he is a church defense lawyer … if that is the case, maybe all people should dismiss plaintiff lawyers who are gaining vast wealth and riches in going after all priests no matter if innocent or guilty. John Manly, the plaintiffs attorney has won close to 1 billion in his activities... Since SNAP has worked closely with this attorney maybe everything SNAP says should be looked at with suspicion.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 5:43 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  As is the experience of Father Kelly, he also took a professional lie detector examination and passed with flying colors...

  
  Steier also took aim at the outspoken advocacy group SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests):
  

  They maintain an interactive Internet website with a user 'Forum' and 'Message Board,' among other features, where people can share detailed information between alleged victims pertaining to identity of specific alleged perpetrators, their alleged 'modus operandi,' and other details of alleged molestation. In effect, a person who wanted to make a false claim of sexual abuse by a priest could go to that website and find a 'blueprint' of factual allegations to make that would coincide with allegations made by other people. Law enforcement also uses the S.N.A.P. website to attempt to locate new victims and allegations against Catholic priests.
  
  Needless to say, SNAP had a fit at the sight of Steier's declaration

  
  Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/dave-pierre/2011/01/02/wheres-media-la-atty-declares-many-abuse-accusations-against-catholic-p#ixzz1orIzOTpM

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 5:40 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  continued...

  •I have had accused priest clients take polygraph examinations performed by very experienced former law enforcement experts, including from L.A.P.D., the Sheriff Department, and F.B.I. In many cases the examinations showed my clients' denial of wrongdoing was 'truthful,' and in those cases I offered in writing to the accuser to undergo a similar polygraph examination at my expense. In every case the accuser refused to have his veracity tested by that investigative tool, which is routinely used by intelligence agencies."
  • "I am aware of several plaintiffs who testified that they realized that they had been abused only after learning that some other person - sometimes a relative - had received a financial settlement from the Archdiocese or another Catholic institution."
  • "In my investigation of many cases, I have seen the stories of some accusers change significantly over time, sometimes altering years, locations, and what activity was alleged - in every case, the changes seemed to have enabled or enhanced claims against my clients, or drastically increased alleged damages."
  • "I am aware that false memories can also be planted or created by various psychological processes, including by therapists who might be characterized as 'sexual victim advocates,' if not outright charlatans."
  • "Most of the approximately seven hundred psychiatric 'Certificates of Merit' filed in these Clergy Cases, as required by [California] Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1, were signed by the same therapist." (!) (Note: A "Certificate of Merit" from "a licensed mental health practitioner" is required in California before filing an abuse lawsuit.)
  
  Steier signed and submitted the declaration "under penalty of perjury" November 30, 2010. Los Angeles County Superior Court officially filed it at 11 a.m. on December 15, 2010

  
  

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 5:39 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  tIn a ten-page declaration submitted in January 2011 to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, veteran attorney Donald H. Steier stated that his investigations into claims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests have uncovered vast fraud and that his probes have revealed that many accusations are completely false.
  
  Counselor Steier has played a role in over one hundred investigations involving Catholic clergy in Los Angeles.In his missive Mr. Steier relayed, "One retired F.B.I. agent who worked with me to investigate many claims in the Clergy Cases told me, in his opinion, about ONE-HALF of the claims made in the Clergy Cases were either entirely false or so greatly exaggerated that the truth would not have supported a prosecutable claim for childhood sexual abuse" (capital letters are his).
  
  Mr. Steier also added, "In several cases my investigation has provided objective information that could not be reconciled with the truthfulness of the subjective allegations. In other words, in many cases objective facts showed that accusations were false."
  
  He is as experienced as anyone in studying the claims of abuse against Catholic clergy in the Los Angeles area. Also among Steier's statements are:

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• Brigid Jenkins posted at 1:07 pm on Sun, Mar 11, 2012.

  Posts: 3

  My response to those who belong to SNAP and are responding to this forum are as follows:
  Are you from this community?
  Are you aware of the plaintiff's attorney, and his drop down weblist to choose and sue your favorite Catholic diocese?
  Are you aware of your own spokesperson saying to the press that they LIE and fabricate the truth? See the following link.

  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/snap-director-admits-to-publishing-false-information/#.T1deaod2e5c.email

  These are 'repressed' memories only...were they true were they a dream?, 'repressed' memories are subjective on a best day.
  Fr. Kelly has not had his day in court yet, and these articles do not fairly address that issue, nor the issue of repressed memory testimony. Reporters should also research and verify the facts.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:30 pm on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  Wise, intelligent thoughtful people do not or shouldn't attempt to create a lynch mob atmosphere. I think SNAP and these four individuals owe an apology for their aggressive premature nature that declares a person guilty before the trial even begins.

  A thoughtful wise person would listen closely to both sides then make an informed decision... lets hope the jury is thoughtful and wise and does the opposite of SNAP ; they should assume the defendant is innocent until proven guilty... which means they listen to both sides of the argument before drawing a final conclusion.

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• K Lee posted at 10:58 pm on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 1786

  Joey Piscitelli, Melanie Sakoda, Judy Jones and Tim Lennon: You are all obviously very wise, articulate, intelligent and thoughtful. Thank you for speaking out and posting here on these boards. And thank you for the work you do with those that have been abused by one of the most trusted and revered people in their life... their priest. Please keep up the great work you do with/for these victims. Please keep posting. God bless you.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 7:53 pm on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 9403

  I am very grateful to people who look out for the welfare of children and attempt to protect them.

  I equally am “not” thankful for people who are over zealous and so bias that they assume , as in this case, father Kelly guilty simply because one person has a claimed repressed memory that may or may not be true. When a group of people (SNAP) orchestrate and attempt to manipulate public opinion to effect an outcome and have no interest in listening to what the accused has to say, I think they are part of the problem and defeat justice for everyone. The intent is good but the method to achieve something good is terribly misguided. I think SNAP should be ashamed and should stop abusing the system of justice.

  The attorney representing this plaintiff has made millions and has become very wealthy just on child abuse cases, The plaintiff, if successful, will most likely ask for millions of damages as well. ...“If” ...the plaintiff was actually abused , he should be compensated. However, since this is a repressed memory case, and since the plaintiff stands be gain wealth if he is successful, all caution should be taken and the defendant “SHOULD NOT BE ASSUMED TO BE GUILTY PRIOR TO THE COURT CASE” … and... no one should assume the plaintiff was abused in any way simply because he said it happened... which is what SNAP representatives are doing. SNAP in my view, is a disgrace.

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• Judy Jones posted at 12:33 pm on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 11

  This victim is extremely brave for speaking up and sharing his painful story. This is not an easy thing to do.

  Hopefully any others, who may have knowledge or may have been harmed by Fr Michael Kelly, will also have the courage to speak up and report it to police.
  
  When victims stay silent, nothing changes. But when victims find the courage to take action, there's at least a chance for prevention, healing and justice ­ especially when they seek independent sources of support and avoid contacting Catholic officials.
  
  Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511
  "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" and all clergy.

  (SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims.
  SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. 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 and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
  

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• Melanie Sakoda posted at 12:21 pm on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 16

  No amount of money can restore the innocence lost as a result of childhood sex abuse. I applaud the brave man in this case for having the courage to come forward and pursue justice for himself. I hope his courage will inspire others to do the same.

  If you are a victim of childhood sexual abuse, don't suffer alone and in silence!

  Melanie Jula Sakoda
  Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
  Toll Free Phone: 1-877-SNAPHEALS (1-877-762-7432)
  SNAP East Bay Director
  melanie.sakoda@gmail.com
  925-708-6175
  

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• Tim Lennon posted at 9:59 am on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 45

  A ten year old child raped by Michael Kelly. Taken to a remote field in the woods and raped. A person's childhood is stolen by this brutal act. It takes a vicious, callous and depraved person to inflict so much cruelty.

  We should honor the courage of the plaintiff in speaking of such a horrific crime. Sexual abuse of children causes a lifetime of crippling injury. Speaking the truth and placing the blame on the predator, rejecting guilt and shame, are important steps in regaining a healthy future for a survivor of child sex abuse.

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• Joey Piscitelli posted at 9:07 am on Sat, Mar 10, 2012.

  Posts: 23

  What a tradgedy. What the plaintiff described was almost exactly what happened to me on several occasions. I sincerely hope that he is awarded justice, like i was when I sued the catholic church, and the priest who damaged my life for decades. children do not deserve the sufferung inflicted upon them by unconsionable clergy, and the lifelong after effects are horrendous. The plaintiff has a lot of courage to come forward, and i hope that pthers who have been molested by priests come forward as well. Many thanks to the Lodi news for covering this controversial issue, that takes courage as well. It is a prime example of what freedom of the press is about.

  - Joey Piscitelli - Survivor, advocate, and seeker of justice for victims of abuse

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