Rev. Felix Owino, the Nigerian priest who most recently taught at Wheeling Jesuit University, has his hearing Sept. 1 [see comment below] in Virginia on charges of molesting an underage girl, and in three other states, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is turning the heat on bishops and college administrators to pursue other allegations about him.

SNAP wants Manchester Bishop John McCormack, Wheeling Bishop Michael Bransfield, Allentown Bishop John Barres, Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik, and officials at all three colleges [where Owino taught] (Wheeling Jesuit, Magdalen, and Duquesne) to disclose any allegations of sexual abuse against Owino in their dioceses or schools and seek out others who may have seen or suspected his misdeeds.

The group is also urging any current and former students and employees at the colleges to ask their colleagues about Owino. They believe that anyone who has seen, suspected or suffered Owino’s misconduct should “come forward, call police, protect others and start healing.”

In support of their position, SNAP leaders cite other cases:

The group is especially prodding the officials at Magdalen College [in Warner, NH] to ‘come clean’ about any allegation of abuse against Owino while he worked there.

“In repeated phone conversations and e mails, two credible New Hampshire residents have told us about three instances in which Owino engaged in alleged sexual misconduct with adults,” said Judy Jones, SNAP’s associate Midwest director. “We understand that the college staff already knows about these instances but to be safe, we’re writing them later today and sharing with them what we’ve heard.”

In the Pittsburgh diocese, Owino worked at Duquesne University and St. Bede’s parish off and on between 1997 and 2005.

Most recently, he worked at Wheeling Jesuit College in Wheeling. He also was pastor at St. Paul’s church in Weirton, WV.