Funds sought for child of priest

Whittier, California --

A group representing alleged victims of abuse by priests is asking St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church parishioners to set up a fund for the son of a priest, officials said Thursday.

Members of SNAP -- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests -- say they plan to distribute leaflets in front of the Whittier church Sunday, extolling parishioners to "take a step of compassion" on behalf of the boy.

SNAP Western Regional Director Mary Grant said members also want to inform parishioners about the circumstances regarding the illegitimate son of the Rev. Jose Arturo Uribe, 47.

Uribe has been transferred to a church in Chicago, according to published reports. He presided over his final Mass at St. Mary on July 17. Uribe is now reportedly on a trip to Mexico. He was not able to be reached by telephone Thursday.

"This is our way to reach out, in a way that we believe that church officials and the parish should be doing," Grant said. "By leafleting, we're educating parishioners and helping heal the hurt that's been done by urging parishioners to reach out to Stephanie and her son."

She was referring to the mother of Uribe's son, identified in a Los Angeles Times story as Stephanie Collopy, 38, of Portland, Ore.

Read the article at Whittier Daily News Dated July 29, 2005

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