carmencita ago

Yes, his father was one of 5 indicted for the misappropriation of millions of bank funds among other charges. What a family and not a very good roll model. But as terrible as that is it is nothing compared to SRAbuse that his son Thomas J. committed and has been accused of by you and others.

StcharlesSeminary ago

Here is a an old letter sent to Bishop Cullen on the Allentown Diocese

I removed the name of the SNAP representative, as this person no longer volunteers for SNAP. Also Benestad left the parish in January 2007 a sick man... a sick man driving to Florida alone. Now if you were to call the Allentown Diocese, they would say he is "retired". Priests do not retire in their 60's?? I believe he is now about 73, they still don't retire that young.

In February 2007, Msgr. Benestad went on a medical leave

https://uploads.weconnect.com/mce/0e2a8d2c235e4c425c2afa27ca7a0d089e5116ef/NDoBHistory.pdf

The Bishop did nothing, he wanted more than my name!

Here we go...

Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests

Friday, July 1, 2005

Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen D.D. Bishop of Allentown

4029 W. Tilghman Street

P.O. Box F

Allentown, PA 18105

Dear Bishop Cullen,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that it has come our attention that a Monsignor of your diocese who is currently serving as a pastor at Notre Dame in Bethlehem has a history of abuse.

We have recently received telephone calls from two survivors of a Monsignor Thomas Benestad. Neither survivor knew one another, hence lending credibility to their stories, which were very similar. The second survivor knows of a third survivor of Monsignor Benestad. They were all raped as adults – these are not cases of childhood clergy sexual abuse but rather cases involving a violent rapist predator priest.

While I am not at liberty to divulge details of their abuse, their names, or any other personal information without their consent (as you can imagine they are terrified of this man and fear retribution from him if they come forward), I would very much like to talk with you about what the diocese plans to do to address this situation.

SNAP would like to know if the diocese was aware/is aware that this man has had allegations of abuse in the past (it is my understanding that allegations were made to the Philadelphia Archdiocese while he served there), and if so why weren’t law enforcement and parishioners informed of this activity?

From what we know of Monsignor Benestad he has violent tendencies and is not above using threats while forcibly raping his victims. He is a loose cannon and by informing you we are aiming to prevent future abuses from happening.

We hope that the Diocese will choose to do the “right” thing in protecting future victims from rape from this priest. It would be a tragedy should another innocent soul be lost needlessly to the violence perpetrated by this individual.

Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss this situation. Sincerely,

Co-Director SNAP Lehigh Valley

carmencita ago

Jane are going to re post this? If not I can do it. Also I will ask others to insert their comments.

carmencita ago

@Jane58 I have contacted her and asked if it is OK for you to post the SNAP letter to Bishop Cullen It proves the claims against Rev. Thomas J. Benestad. That is what @Millennial Falcon was requesting. Proof of other claims. You can re post it with that information along with the tunnel links. If you do re post then also add the link for this thread too so people can see her comments.

carmencita ago

Yes, Bevilaqua had charges, but I am wondering if @MillennialFalcon needs claims against Benestad only.

exposethecriminals ago

Just background information in any case.

It sickens me that the person ultimately responsible for the cover up of child sexual abuse, and murder, was living for nine years above those horrendous tunnels @StCharlesSeminary told us about! It really freaks me out. So does the fact that the seminary site may be purchased for use as a middle school, with those child rape and human sacrifice lower tunnels down there:

January 24, 2018: Lower Merion School District to look at St. Charles Seminary for possible new middle school

exposethecriminals ago

The Christopher McKelvey case involving St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA just outside Philiadelphia:

New York Post - http://archive.is/juc4E#selection-1311.1-1319.182 :

In another case, a former seminary student from New Jersey has launched a sexual-harassment lawsuit against the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.

Christopher McKelvey, 39, said persistent lewd comments and homosexual propositions forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a priest.

“When seminary instruction is sexualized, there is a defect in the system,” said McKelvey’s lawyer, Stephen Rubino. “What we see today is the church having to confront the problem.”

 

More links on this case:

http://archive.is/PEs9q#selection-105.1-105.328 :

According to the current complaint, McKelvey attended St.Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa. The lawsuit claims the diocese and its priests "fostered, tolerated, permitted and encouraged inappropriate sexual conduct" in which McKelvey faced frequent exposure to "homosexual and other deviant discussions and or contact."


http://archive.is/TGDoz third article:

The suit also claims McKelvey complained to Frs. John T. Frey and William Brennan, but neither offered their help. The suit is expected to have as many as 10 other complainants added.

@Janet58 @StCharlesSeminary

carmencita ago

In order to re post this MF wants proof of other accusations or claims of abuse. I don't know if he will accept these, or if they must specifically name Benestad. I have a letter but it contains her name and we do not want to post that. It is an invasion of her privacy. @Janet58 @Stcharlesseminary

exposethecriminals ago

I think MF meant abuse claims against anyone at St. Charles, but you can ask. Also I just wanted to provide background info on other crimes committed at St. Charles Seminary, abusers connected to St. Charles, etc.

carmencita ago

I asked him and you are correct. They can be anyone. I have contacted @Janet58 regarding a re post but have not received an answer. I know that @StcharlesSeminary has made it clear that she would like it to appear again. We will all have to redo our comments.

carmencita ago

YES! I agree that we should post about other abuse at St. Charles Seminary. It proves what Evil Lurks in that place. When there are so many other claims in one Catholic Institution then it should be outed. They have gone far too long under the radar. Thanks for all your work!

exposethecriminals ago

No problem, happy to help

think- ago

If you do re post then also add the link for this thread too so people can see her comments.

@Carmencita and @Janet58, I do hope this will be reposted, it is a worthwhile read.

I'd just like to point out that it's not possible to link to an deleted submission, the mods will take it down again if you should consider this.

Although it's a bit unpleasant, please consider either reposting your comments again (you might want to ping all commenters and ask them to repost) or copying the comments from this thread to the comment section of the repost.

I think @exposethecriminals provided useful links, which you could include in the repost to prove that there have been allegations against St. Charles Seminary before.

(If in doubt, you might want to ping Millenial_Falcon and ask him before reposting - he's modding the day shift.)

Thank you, it's a great thread, please keep up the good work! :-)

exposethecriminals ago

@Janet58 and @StcharlesSeminary you probably have all of these already, but here are some links regarding children sexually abused either at St. Charles Seminary or elsewhere by people associated with St. Charles.

From http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news/2005_09_18_McCoy_ListOf.htm :

FRANCIS X. TRAUGER Ordained: 1972

One man said Gana* abused him numerous times in 1973 when he was about 11 years old and a parishioner at St. Leo Church parish in Northeast Philadelphia. He said the attacks occurred at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where the priest would take him to play basketball and swim. Later, he said, they would shower together and the priest would assault him.

*Apparently a typo which should read Trauger


MATTHEW J. KORNACKI Ordained: 1973

Allegations: Kornacki, 57, pleaded guilty last year in federal court in Philadelphia to possession of child pornography.

Federal agents found 150 pornographic images on his personal laptop computer, seized by Secret Service agents during a search at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.


JOHN J. DELLI CARPINI Ordained: 1976.

Allegations: In an interview with The Inquirer, a Philadelphia man said Delli Carpini abused him, beginning when he was 13 years old and continuing until he was 20. The man, now 41, said he met Delli Carpini when he served as an altar boy at St. Luke the Evangelist parish in Glenside in the late 1970s.

Delli Carpini taught at Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School in the 1980s and later served as a dean at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

 

Also:

From http://archive.is/VySiK#selection-3029.0-3059.6 :

FR. WILLIAM G. AYRES

Defendant Fr. Ayers arrived at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish in 1996, and from approximately 1996 through 1999; while attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and while he was assigned to work at the parish, Defendant Fr. Ayers sexually abused the Plaintiff at the rectory of Incarnation of Our Lord Parish (in Defendant Fr. Ayers’ room) and in the church itself, as well as at other churches within the Archdiocese where Defendant Fr. Ayers was also assigned and serving at that time.

carmencita ago

Jane we can re post this when we find a letter. I have found it but it contains her real name. I want permission to post that before I do.

Millennial_Falcon ago

Rule 2: This needs something to at least partially substantiate it. Anything on the web about someone claiming abuse happened there? For reasons of preventing shills from flooding the sub with disinfo and destroying the investigation, there must be some kind of substantiation. Thx.

dragonkiller ago

You have done far more damage around here than shills ever did.

carmencita ago

Please hold on, We will find it. There is proof. I have seen it.

Millennial_Falcon ago

carmencita ago

Please UPVOAT This is a VIP Post that Must Be Seen

StcharlesSeminary ago

I found a short video of Cardinal Krol's funeral, but his body has already been covered, and it was channel 3 out of Philadelphia. I watched it that day

https://vimeo.com/114233381

Benestad, my main perpetrator worked for Cardinal Krol and JP II

StcharlesSeminary ago

Cardinal Krol's viewing was televised. A Philadelphia Channel, either 10 or channel 6 out of Philadelphia.

My perpetrator was one that covered the body of Krol (like family members do) If anyone can find that video or photos, please post them. I have been looking for years

Krol died in 1996

Thank you in advance

exposethecriminals ago

I did find this 2013 photograph of Monsignor Thomas J. Benestad in Florida, you may have it already:

https://image.isu.pub/130514183835-506460e2d788441284afea54c5d22cd5/jpg/page_29.jpg

StcharlesSeminary ago

Thank you. Actually I did not have that photo.. I had one about that time period, but not this one. Thank you for posting

exposethecriminals ago

You're welcome

carmencita ago

Yes there he is! The bottom left hand picture. He is the one on the right with the light colored jacket. I am trying to get an answer from Jane to re post. I will ask you all to insert your comments please when it is reposted again. @Stcharlesseminary wishes the re post. Thank you for all your researched info.

StcharlesSeminary ago

Does anyone else find this odd?

https://www.google.com/search?q=St.+Charles+Seminary+in+Philadelphia+tunnels&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6wKvGkaPZAhWvxFkKHTI6BakQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=662#imgrc=LPVwuCqQD554QM:

Seminarian's digging graves for the flu epidemic, this was the 20th century not the 19th????

exposethecriminals ago

I think it might be both not odd and odd -- because after reading your information, in my opinion any grave digging connected to St. Charles Seminary should be looked into.

On the other hand, according to this in 1918 when that photo was taken, 13,000 people died within two months in Philadelphia from the flu, many men were away in the war, and also gravediggers were sick.

This source says St. Charles Seminary students dug together with inmates, I think that may be the group depicted in the photo you linked:

Prisoners from the House of Correction team up with seminarians from St. Charles Seminary to dig graves, as the cemeteries cannot keep up with the demand.

I wonder if any Philadelphia historical societies/clubs/forums can provide you with more information about the photo, such as date, location, how to find out who was buried there, etc. Despite the obvious need for graves, it still strikes me as suspicious.

From a quick internet search on Philadelphia influenza pandemic mass graves, I couldn't find anything but mentions that there have been "rumours" of area locations of unmarked mass graves from that time, and that people occasionally accidentally come across them. All very sad.

Please let us know if you find out anything about that photo.

StcharlesSeminary ago

Prisoners and seminarians? What a sweet combination? It looks like just a big whole, did they just bury without caskets? I wonder when "vaults" or containers became law in Pennsylvania?

JusticeforAaron ago

There is a lot of history of Catholic abuse of children, all types of abuse. It seems to be common. They've murdered all sorts of children over the years, including massive numbers of first nations kids. Pregnant young girls were also often sent away, abused, their babies taken from them.

carmencita ago

This is the closest thing I could find of Cardinal Kole's funeral video. If it does exist it allows you to insert where you are and to find a copy near you. That is what I assume. https://www.worldcat.org/title/funeral-mass-of-john-cardinal-krol-cathedral-basilica-of-ss-peter-paul-philadelphia-pa-march-8-1996/oclc/52169180

StcharlesSeminary ago

Thank you Janet58

I was ritually abused in these tunnels as a child from 1963 until about 1970

I called them the "under under" as a child, as the tunnels I was abused in looked the the ones in the photos with dirt floors, not photos of St. Charles but very similar. "Under Under... meant that they were underneath the tunnels used by the students.

My abortions were performed here and my son was killed in these tunnels. I gave birth to a live son when I was 12

Someone a long time ago, asked if I were "for real" Why would I be telling all these things about myself, for ?? What purpose. To expose my vagina to the world? I have been called crazy and worse all these years, but my story has not changed in 30 years

I don't come to this site often, as for some reason I try to sign in on my cell phone, it won't let me

I have had district attorneys' to my home and more recently two agents from the attorney generals office. I have photos of their ID.

I have an email from the current DA in Philadelphia asking for any and all information, I will not share that as it is confidential.

Why the heck would I make this stuff up.

My main perpetrator has been reported by others, for child abuse as well as adult women rapes with violence. The bishop did nothing!!

There is nothing in this for me, I want to protect others. If the law changes for SOL in PA, I am probably aged out, but I don't want to see another life destroyed by this.. if you read my posts in "Philadelphia' I speak of these tunnels, I did not realize there were photos online

From the ashes of my children will come forth something better for the world...

ESOTERICshade ago

if you read my posts in "Philadelphia' I speak of these tunnels, I did not realize there were photos online

I have a huge library of survivor testimony. I would like to add yours. Where can I read this? I am very sorry for what happened to you. Some of us have been fighting for you for years. People like me. We fight hard. We know. We believe.

Gothamgirl ago

I am sorry to hear of your suffering, I will pray for you.

StcharlesSeminary ago

thank you so much

Gothamgirl ago

You're very welcome.

exposethecriminals ago

I believe you and my heart goes out to you for what you have suffered. Thank you for fighting so hard to protect the others and to bring them justice. I hope victory and justice comes to all of you swiftly.

JusticeforAaron ago

I believe you. I'm so sorry you've had to endure this in life. Thank you and keep telling people about this.

StcharlesSeminary ago

Thank you for your kindness

JusticeforAaron ago

It's being human. I've lived through hell as well, different circumstances. I hope you can find peace. <3

StcharlesSeminary ago

thank you

carmencita ago

I feel confident posting this information for this came from her comment history. She posted this herself. I gave birth at the age of 12. I was told my son died. Someone from the RCC cult raised him. My son was conceived in a ritual at St Charles in Philadelphia in 1964. The father a priest.. still living and walking a free man. When my son was two~~ I was forced to slit his throat from left to right ~~ left is for Satan. That was over 50 years ago and not an hour goes by I don’t think of my son.

carmencita ago

You have my Upvoat. Thank you for posting those pictures. I am in touch with her and anyone that wants to can read her comment history here @stcharlesseminary