Oct. 24, 2006
Dear U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta:
We are leaders of VOTF, Voice of the Faithful, and SNAP, the Survivors
Network of those Abused by Priests, and we write today to ask you to
open up an investigation of Fr. Anthony Mercieca, the priest who has
admitted to sexually abusing former Congressman Mark Foley. Mercieca,
who worked in Southern Florida for more than 30 years, has admitted in
press interviews to giving a teenage Foley massages while both were naked,
traveling with the boy over state lines, "fondling" him, and
other acts that are criminal in nature.
Time and time again, we have seen men like Mercieca molest dozens of
kids only to find sanctuary and safety by leaving the country. We believe
that a thorough and professional investigation is the only way to learn
and expose Mercieca's crimes and perhaps prosecute him. It's also possible,
of course, that such a probe may also lead to charges against others
who knew about or suspected abuse but stayed silent.
In addition, we believe that there may be more victims in Florida who
right now are suffering in shame and silence. They may come forward if
urged to do so by law enforcement. Mercieca worked in Southern Florida
until 2003, so recent victims have the right to seek justice and accountability
in the criminal courts.
In addition to opening up an investigation of Mercieca, we ask you and
the local law enforcement agencies where the priest served to:
-
Use all possible means of communication - television, web site,
newsletters, public appearances - to aggressively urge anyone who may
have been hurt
by Mercieca, or any other clergy member, to come forward and report
their crimes
-
Demand that church officials with information about
Mercieca, including the Archdiocese of Miami, turn over any and
all personnel documents about
him, including those that may be in their "secret archives,"
-
Prod those church authorities to account for gaps in Mercieca's
assignment history. It's possible that he may have been sent to a sexual
abuse treatment
center, and then reassigned to unsuspecting parishes in Florida. It's
also possible that he may have molested in Brazil before being sent
to the US or that allegations here led to his move to Malta.
-
Investigate
if federal criminal charges can be filed against Mercieca for taking
Foley over state lines and whether or not his statute is still
active, considering Mercieca has left the country.
Our experience has shown us time and time again that perpetrators do
not stop with just one victim. We believe that there may be many other
US children out there, suffering in shame, who deserve justice and healing.
There may also be Malta children who have been or are being molested
by Mercieca now who deserve protection.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Mary Pat Fox
President, VOTF
Voice of the Faithful
P.O. Box 423
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
617-558-5252
David Clohessy
National Director, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
7234 Arsenal Street
St. Louis MO 63143
314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915
Barbara Blaine
President, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
PO Box 6416
Chicago IL 60680
312 399 4747
Barbara Dorris
Outreach Coordinator, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
6245 Westminster
St. Louis MO 63130
314 862 7688
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