Please Share: Seeking Catholics from Topeka, Kansas
Dear friends,
I am writing today to ask for your help on behalf of my friend Jessica, who is a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. Jessica has reported this abuse to her diocese, but her allegation was found "unsubstantiated" and the priest who abused her remains in ministry. (She has also reported her abuse to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, but they are unable to act because her abuse falls outside of the statute of limitations.)
Concerned about the safety of children today, Jessica is reaching out in hopes of connecting with others who may be able to help. Unfortunately, the reality is that it often takes more than one person's testimony for a survivor's story to be believed.
Jessica's abuse took place at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Topeka, Kansas, in 1995/1996. Jessica believes the abusive priest was also present at the school for several years before and after her abuse.
Here’s how you can help:
If you had an experience at Most Pure Heart of Mary School or Parish in this timeframe that might be connected with Jessica’s abuse, would you please reach out to me at inspiritandtruth@substack.com? Any information you share will be held in strictest confidence, and we will not pressure you to take any action you are not ready for. Simply knowing that there is someone else out there would be really helpful to Jessica.
If you attended Most Pure Heart of Mary during these years, please share this blog post with any past classmates (or staff) you are able to contact.
If neither of these apply to you, would you please consider sharing this blog post widely, particularly with any contacts you have in Kansas?
For more information about Jessica's story and why we are reaching out right now, please see the longer blog post here: An Update from Jessica: "My Heart Can Find No Peace."
Thank you,
Sara
PS: If you are a clergy abuse survivor reading this blog post, please know that you are not alone. Whether your abuse is connected to this particular situation or not, feel free to reach out to me at any time. I will listen, and I will believe you.
We pray: Lord, may Your will be done.