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ABUSE VICTIMS SUPPORT TEENAGE VICTIM OF PRIEST RAPE
Appear at Sentencing for Vigil
Criticize Archbishop for Abandoning Church Policy, Christian Principles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 17, 2005
What: A vigil and press conference will take place in support of a teenage victim of
rape by a Catholic priest who admitted the December 2002 offense to police. The
event will coincide the sentencing of the perpetrator, Fr. Roman Kramek, who pled
guilty in December.
Who: Several survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Catholic supporters, and leaders
of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP, www.snapnetwork.org).
When: Thursday, February 17, 2005
Silent Vigil - 9:15 AM
Court Hearing - 10:00 AM
Press conference - Immediately after the court hearing
Where: New Britain Judicial District
20 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT
(Driving Directions)
Background: On December 18, 2002, Father Roman Kramek of the Archdiocese of
Hartford, CT, raped a 17 year-old orphan to whom he was providing spiritual
counseling for having been previously raped. After his arrest on Christmas Eve,
2002, Father Kramek admitted to police that he "(fondled) the girl and even
(engaged) in brief sexual intercourse, but (stated) the acts were done to help the
victim understand sexual contact could 'be a good thing and not bad when a man loves
a woman and she loves him back.'" Though Father Kramek will only serve a very short
time in prison for his crimes, for that time, children will be safe from this
predator.
Clergy abuse survivors will be at the court hearing in support of the young victim.
SNAP leaders will highlight the failure of the Archdiocese of Hartford and
Archbishop Mansell to support the victim in light of the overwhelming support that
the parish has provided the perpetrator, and will call for definitive steps to
protect children once the perpetrator returns to his native Poland.
Contacts: Landa Mauriello-Vernon, CT SNAP State Director, (203) 687-8072
Mark Serrano, SNAP Board Member, (703) 727-4940
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, (314) 566-9790
Directions to the New Britain Judicial Court
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