Abuse group seeks return of priest to face charges

ROME — Sexual-abuse survivors knocked on the door of a religious order near St. Peter's Square yesterday seeking a priest who is wanted in the United States in connection with allegations that he molested minors.

But leaders of the U.S.-based Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests were told politely that the priest was not home. Barbara Blaine, president of the group, then handed the greeter a letter urging the priest's superiors to send him back to the United States to face charges.

The group was looking for Father Joseph Henn of the Salvatorian fathers, who is wanted in Phoenix.

Standing at the door of the Salvatorian fathers' residence, across the street from the Vatican press office, Blaine told a woman and two guards that the religious order should choose the moral course and send Henn back to the United States.

Henn was indicted in 2003 on 13 molestation charges involving alleged assaults on three Phoenix boys. Prosecutors sought extradition after he refused to return voluntarily.

"There are victims in the United States who are waiting for their day in court," Blaine said. "He should not be allowed to escape criminal prosecution under the protection of their Salvatorian community here in Rome."

The charges were filed after he arrived in Rome.