Dear Bishop Herman,

We're concerned that an accused priest is active in St. Peter Parish in Kirkwood and an archdiocesan lay review board, such as mandated in the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, has apparently not examined the sex abuse allegations against him.
 
We understand that:

• Some believe this priest—Fr. Robert Osborne, S.M.-- is innocent,
  

• In the civil lawsuit settlement, there was no admission of guilt. 

• There were no criminal charges filed. (But the bar for criminal prosecution is high--many factors figure into whether a criminal case is pursued.)

• An internal investigation by the Marianists reportedly "indicated there is no credible or substantiated allegation of abuse against Fr. Osborne."
   

According to the bishop's charter (adopted in 2002 and re-affirmed in March 2008), lay review boards in each diocese ARE empowered to hear testimony, examine evidence and determine whether or not accusations against a priest are credible. This is the process accepted by each bishop in 2002 when adopting the charter. And it's a policy that should be in force regardless of what happens in the criminal or civil realm.
 
One reason so many kids continued to be molested by clergy must be that church officials have determined themselves which allegations are valid and which aren't. Unbiased perspectives by lay experts in the child sex abuse area ensure on-the-mark evaluations. Refusal to rely on lay review boards in any diocese is unacceptable
  
We are writing to ask that an archdiocesan staffer contact the young man whose lawsuit prompted Fr. Osborne's removal and urge him to sit down with the charter-recommended lay  board.  A SNAP representative would be glad to help the archdiocese contact the young man who settled with the Marianists.  It may well be that the board would exonerate Osborne after reviewing his case.
 
Above all, an archdiocesan review board deserves to hear from this young man (assuming he is willing). Catholics also deserve to have the national church sex abuse policy respected and followed exactly, in this case, and in all cases.
 
Sincerely,

Nicole Sitello, Call To Action (CTA) 773-404-1624
Peggy Fitzpatrick, Saint Louis Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) 314-845-9438
Bob Schutzius, Association for the Rights of Catholics 314-837-0678
Anne Harter, Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity (FOSIL) 618-593-7891
Dan Bartley, National VOTF Boston  617-558-5252
David Clohessy, SNAP 314-566-9790
 

Barbara Dorris
National Outreach Director
314-862-7688
snapdorris@gmail.com
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
SNAPnetwork.org