Dear live4sports,
The founding families were not opposed to change. They simply wanted to preserve the 142 year old historical church that Fr. Tom wanted to tear down, after he had the rectory torn down. Unfortunately, it took a law suit to get him to listen to anyone other than himself!! You say the founding families were stubborn. Did you ever attend a "pastorial" council meeting?? If so, were you permitted to commit on the topics being discussed? If you answer anything other than NO, then you are kidding yourself. We have never had an incoming priest that TOTALLY refused to listen to anyone that disagreed with him. WE, at least, attempted on several occasions to get some answers to lingering questions regarding the new church. Fr. Tom wouldn't give us the time of day. Fr. Fate, on the other hand, actually took the time to listen to everyone and their concerns. Fr. Fate is the reason we have a beautiful new church AND the historical church.
It is for these reasons, not what he did 30 years ago, that I believe he was not and never will be a blessing to St. Peter of the Fields. As I posted earlier, I will pray for his soul for what he did. I pray that he will redeem himself with his maker.

More Allegations Reported Against Fr. Crum
When the Diocese of Youngstown reported that Reverend Thomas Crum was removed from ministry due to a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor more than 30 years ago, the diocese asked that anyone who was abused, or who knew of someone who was abused, come forward. This week, two more allegations against Father Crum have been reported to the diocese. The diocese is working with the families to extend outreach and reconciliation. The information has been turned over to diocesan attorneys who are reporting to civil authorities..posted on Youngstown diocese web site.

Please contact Youngstown prosecutor if you have been harmed by Fr Crum.. also, there is help and support for survivors, contact SNAP
David Clohessy, National director, 314-566-9790
Judy Block Jones, SNAP director southeastern Ohio
636-433-2511

"Civil lawsuits are sometimes possible even decades after the crimes happened." Did somebody say money? Or perhaps that one abomination deserves another?

SNAP this is getting ridiculous. Father Tom and my family were extremely close and by your standards he would have assaulted me or one of my siblings. This is proposterous. I highly doubt Father Tom had any other of these incidents other than the known or supposed known. At the time he was in his early 20's. You guys make it sound like he was 40 or 50 when he did this act. No he was really young and made a stupid mistake. Why don't you guys go look for a real seriel rapist and rag on him, not this man of God that made a mistake 30 YEARS AGO.

For more information:
Judy Block Jones, SNAP director southeastern Ohio,636-433-2511, snapsteubenville@gmail.com

David Clohessy, SNAP National Director: 314-566-9790, 314-645-5915

"Another victim of just-ousted priest comes forward"

Man contacts confidential support group called SNAP

He begs that the cleric "never be allowed near children'

Abuse started in late 1960's St Louis church in Louisville, Ohio

SNAP urges him, and other victims and witnesses, to call police


A confidential support group for clergy molestation victims is reporting that another victim of Fr. Thomas Crum has come forward.

Yesterday afternoon, a leader in SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, was called by an Ohio man who says that as a child, he was sexually violated by Crum.

"He specifically said that he wants us to let the public know that this priest did NOT just sexually abuse one child," said Judy Jones, SNAP's southeastern Ohio director. "This brave person came forward because he worries that more victims are still silent and that Crum has likely molested a number of kids."

The victim reports that the crimes started in the late 1960s, before Crum was ordained a priest, and continued after he was ordained. Crum was known to make friends with families, and therefore had easy access to kids.

Jones says she fears there could be recent abuse by this priest.

"Rarely do pedophiles ever stop assaulting children," Jones stressed. "It usually takes decades before victims realize they're not alone, they've been deeply hurt, they have options, and have a duty to try and protect others. Then, victims have to find the strength to speak up. It just takes time."

"If Bishop Murry did actually ask Fr Crum whether he abused others children, then someone is not telling the truth," said SNAP director David Clohessy.

SNAP encouraged this new victim to contact law enforcement, as they do everyone who reports having been victimized.

"No one should ever assume it's "too late' to call law enforcement," said Jones. "Police and prosecutors are getting increasingly savvy and determined to pursue even older sex crimes, and laws are changing to make that more possible."

Civil lawsuits are sometimes possible even decades after the crimes happened.

"Anyone who was hurt by Crum owes it to themselves and their families to explore all their legal options," Jones said.

Crum has worked at churches in in Massillon, Warren, Campbell, Ravenna, Orwell, Canton, Boardman, Rootstown and Youngstown

http://www.snapnetwork.org/

I do believe the statue of limitations has run out as far as anything crimminal being charged. There is a loop hole as to when the "victim" actually recalled or remembered it to start the clock of limitations.
I recently saw a tv show where a rapist was caught after 20 years and they could not charge him with the crime but were able to get him on other things and I also saw on a news show a relative of a now grown adult charged because the clock started running once the victim had recall of it as an adult. I dunno. I guess being his age and stripped of his life and career is going to pose some major problems. People such as these that can't be charged should at least be put on a watch list. Maybe more victims will come forward. Regardless it's another sad case of an adult male taking advantage of a child. Now it does say 30 years ago and does not list the victims age or his age at the time. As usual not enough facts to base a real opinion or judgement on, with the exception the victim was a minor and he wasn't so shame shame shame!

live4sports,
It is the hypocracy that brings about such a reaction.
There are zillions of folks that do not do these things that have normal jobs and do not hold themselves out as "holier than thou."
Preists get SOOO much credit for being "better people" or "closer to god" than the rest and they get more "blame" for doing misdeeds.
It is kinda like giving the quarterback all the credit or blame for a football teams' loss or win, only more so.

Also, Tom does not get "forgiveness" from the authoities for admitting it.

Father Tom was a blessing to St. Peter's church. The founders of the church were too stubborn to realize that change was needed. The parish family was growing at a fast rate and the old small church was not big enough. Father was also put into a rough situation with the whole thing anyhow. Yes he did make a mistake, but at least he admitted to his wrong doings. It seems that when people hear it was a Catholic priest they blow it out of proportion. I mean seriously, there are so many people in the world that do this and worse to children and nobody thinks about that because they say people are just like that. Well Father Tom made a mistake and he is now paying for it but at least he admitted to it. Father Tom was a blessing and always will be. He was my favorite priest and he always will be and I will always consider him one.

Seriously amused,
Yes, you are right. I did reread. I did not see "reported to civil authorities" the first time.
I was glad to see that.

Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP director Southeastern Ohio, 636-433-2511


Thank you to the brave survivor who came forward about the sex abuse by Fr. Thomas Crum. This is not an easy thing for a victim of clergy abuse to do. Hopefully kids will be safer, and others will have the courage to come forward, get help, and contact law enforcement.

When victims and witnesses speak up, at least there's a chance for healing, justice and prevention. But when victims stay silent, kids keep getting hurt, predators keep assaulting others, and those who've been wounded stay trapped in shame, silence and self-blame.

Our experience has been that sexual predators very rarely violate just one child. Most often there are many. For help and support, you can contact SNAP "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests', you are not alone.

Contact:

Judy Block Jones, SNAP Director Southeastern Ohio, 636-433-2511

David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314-566-9790

http://www.snapnetwork.org/