KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kevin Smith is a new voice calling for action against Catholic priests accused of sexually abusing children.
Smith says that 40 years ago, in 1978, now former Priest, Father Thomas Reardon, sexually assaulted him. Smith announced today that he is suing the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Reardon has since left the priesthood.
“...I was attacked by Father Thomas Reardon in the Spring of 1978 at St Gabriel’s Catholic School located in Kansas City, North,” Smith said during a news conference Monday in front of the Diocese headquarters near 9th and Baltimore Street in downtown Kansas City.
Smith stood with members of the Survivors Network of People Abused by Priests. They demanded that the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph release the names of all priests in the diocese who have been accused of sexual assault.
“What has the Diocese done except move the predators around or more recently quietly relieve them of their posts?” Smith added.
He said releasing the names will help victims who were sexually assaulted by priests get the help they need.
A spokesman with the Kansas City -St. Joseph Diocese said they are fully cooperating with the Missouri Attorney General’s investigation —giving the AG access to their files to identify all priests accused of sexual assault. The Diocese said the list of priests identified in the AG’s independent investigation will be released—when the investigation is completed.
