For immediate release, Thursday, September 28, 2017

Statement by Mary Dispenza of Seattle, Volunteer Member of the Board of Directors and Volunteer
Seattle Leader for SNAP, the Survivors Network (425-941-6001 or 425-644-
2468, Seattle@SNAPnetwork.org)
One of two lawsuits filed against the Seattle Archdiocese has settled for $1.3 million. The other suit is
ongoing. Both alleged that the Archdiocese helped a teacher secure a public school position while
knowing that he had sexually abused students at Archdiocesan schools. The teacher, Edward
Courtney, was on a list the Archdiocese released last year of brothers, priests, deacons and nuns who
abused children in its territory.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ news/local/crime/article174945 801.html
http://www.seattlearchdiocese. org/Assets/SEP/7043_Disclosure List.pdf
(Page 9)
According to The News Tribune, the Seattle Archdiocese knew Mr. Courtney had abused children at St.
Alphonsus Parish School and at ODea High School, but administrators did not report him to the state,
as required by law. Instead, they wrote letters of recommendation for the teacher.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ news/local/crime/article174945 801.html
SNAP, the Survivors Network, has no direct knowledge of the allegations in these lawsuits. However,
as advocates for child sex abuse victims and survivors ourselves, we know that childrens lives are
saved when adults take the simple action of reporting abuse.
We applaud the two victims who filed suits for pursuing these claims. Mandatory reporters are on the
front lines of defending children, and when they fail to do their job, they should be held accountable to
civil and criminal law.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, is the worlds oldest and largest support group for victims of sexual
abuse in institutional settings. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 25,000 members. Our
website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contacts Mary Dispenza (425-941-6001 or 425-644-2468, Seattle@SNAPnetwork.org), Barbara

Dorris (314-503-0003, bdorris@ SNAPnetwork.org), Melanie Jula Sakoda (925-708-6175, melanie.
sakoda@gmail.com), Joelle Casteix (949-322-7434, jcastei x@gmail.com)

So fresh and so clean.

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