-- letting parishioners erect a 'shrine' to the accused predator and make harsh public comments about his victims, creating an atmosphere that intimidates other victims into staying silent.
Last month, the Manhattan DA's office disclosed that ten men have now accused a high-profile, politically-connected priest, Msgr. Wallace A. Harris, of molesting them as kids. In August, the New York archdiocese suspended him from his post at St. Charles Borromeo.
Harris has allegedly denied the charges but won't speak publicly. He helped organize the Pope's spring visit to New York, chairs the archdiocesan priests' council, gave the invocation at Gov. Paterson's inauguration, and has been called 'a rising star' within the church.
SNAP feels the archdiocese moved too slowly and 'severely mishandled' the case. For the sake of public safety, the group wants Egan to disclose where Harris is living now.
Another priest assigned to the parish was convicted of molesting a 12-year-old girl in 2003, and sentenced to a prison term of four months, according to the NY Times.
The first Harris victim to speak publicly about his abuse is a former police officer, Eric Crumbley, who now pastors the Harlem Faith Center in NY (646) 552-7660).
Harris was ordained in 1972 and Crumbley's allegations stem from that time period when Harris worked at the Church of St. Joseph of the Holy Family on 125th Street. Other accusations involve students at Cathedral Prep, where Harris taught. The school has since closed.