Hopefully anyone who has been harmed by this priest will contact the police. Keep in mind, your silence only hurts, but by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting other kids.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511, snapjudy@gmail.com,
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests"

Founded in 1989, SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priest (SNAPnetwork.org) is the world's oldest and largest organization of clergy sexual abuse survivors, with over 10,000 members and 72 chapters in the United States.

I find this story a crock. I personally know of this man and was a witness on his behalf for a bogus case brought against him in 2005.

Nikki, what case was brought against him in 2005? Was he with you at the time of the alleged incident or were you a mere character witness?

Montana papers are reporting that after leaving Maryland he went out west and opened a bar named the "Dirty Shame Saloon."

http://www.thewesternnews.com/news/article_14f7b426-1842-11e0-93ff-001cc4c03286.html

If he was falsely accused it is a dirty shame, If he was justly accused the shame is all his.

Please email me personally I have too much information I don't wish to put on this untrusted site.

Endless, endless garbage coming out of this church. When will folks learn that rascals cloaked in religion inhabit these dioceses and when will they stop entrusting their person to a bunch of fascists who insist they are messengers of some higher power that doesn't exist? Wake up folks. These men of the cloth are powermongers and parasites who thrive on human gullibility.
R Anon

I have alot of information that I don't wish to put on this website. Please email me personally.

It should be noted that this accused pedophile is an Episcopal priest and therefore was not subject to any vow of celibacy. In addition, charges were first brought against him several years ago but the Episcopal Church has made no moves to defrock him until now. Dan Rodricks ought to take note.

I personally know of two cases against this man of him molesting young adults. If these cases are what you are referring to Nicki? My daughters don't lie. I contacted the Bishop of Maryland many times and the Bishop of the United States. Nothing, now they are finally acting?

John, I don't understand why you are bringing up celibacy or Dan Rodricks. Please explain.

I know your daughters, Linda and neither one took the case seriously enough to even bother showing up. I was there. Enough said.

Dana,

Responding to your question. Dan Rodricks has consistently blamed the Catholic Church's pedophile crisis largely on the Church's celibacy rule. He's made the case that the rule is outdated and abets the existence of pedophiles within the priestly ranks by "driving away" healthy, sexually-well-adjusted candidates who cannot accept celibacy as normal or healthy. According to his argument, this leads to a decreasing number of Catholic priests; the Church is then forced to accept more "risky" candidates or attempt to keep "damaged" priests (such as the pedophiles) in order to stem the decreasing numbers. According to his reasoning, the Episcopal Church--which does not require celibacy and is more progressive morally and in governance than the Catholic Church--should have few if any pedophiles in its clergy. Well, this case certainly disproves that logic. And I am sure there are many more cases that disprove Mr. Rodricks' theory, too.

Don't know why they didn't show up.Besides the fact that there were other cases at that time he got away with. He was praised by many and they labeled liars. Criminals draw the line at Child molesters and they are in danger in the jail system, enough said.If he is cleared of the charges, I'd like to see you who defend him let him be alone with your child. Bet you wouldn't.Cause in the back of your mind you will have your doubts.

I don’t see how one case can disprove Mr. Rodrick’s logic John. If, on the other hand, you could show that the percentage of Episcopal priests convicted of child sexual abuse to be as high as that of Catholic priests you would have an arguable point. I don’t know if anyone has done those studies, but it would be interesting.

I agree with your opinion that the Church’s pedophilia problem is not caused by celibacy. But I disagree that the current case works to prove or bolster the view that we share.

Yes the charges were dropped. Then a handful of disgruntled individuals reported to the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland that Rev. Belcher as well as most of the parishoners at Holy Cross were not buying into the gay marriage issue.Consiquently Donald was immediately pulled away and has since retired. We no longer go to Holy Cross and few do, the church is but a shadow of what it once was. And as I see on this blog those very same people are still very active. Nikki for your own safety you should not have used your name here on this blog.

Dana, sociological studies have already been conducted at Hopkins and other institutions that show there are no greater percentage of pedophiles among the ranks of Catholic priests as there are among the general population. Those facts alone disprove Rodricks logic. Of course, when your mind is already made up, some people do not want to be bothered with facts. Thousands of reports exists of clergy of all faiths--Christian, Muslim, Jewish--harboring pedophiles. Of course, families, secular institutions such as scouting, schools, sports, etc. do, too. If celibacy were a cause, then presumably there would be fewer pedophiles among that portion of the population (probably 99.9% of all people) who are not celibate and not Catholic clergy. Well, that is not the case as studies demonstrate. This Episcopal priest adds proof to this point: he was non-celibate (married), not Catholic, yet he was abusing adolescent girls.

I find this case disturbing. I too know Father Don from Holy Cross and was saddened by his departure. I don't know what to think about these charges, but since I don't have the facts of the case I leave this to the legal system to handle. As to Holy Cross, we are still a parish of good people, and are again going through a transition as Rev. Baer will be leaving soon. I see that all of the articles say that Rev. Belcher was a priest at Holy Cross. What about 2007 - 2010 where he worked at St. Mary's Emmorton? I find it odd that this is never mentioned.

I attended Holy Cross and was the Sunday school teacher at the time that it sounds like these allegations took place. I am totally shocked and can't imagine that they are true. I raised my kids at Holy Cross and Father Don and his wife were like family to us as well as the congregation. I was confused about his leaving and could never get a straight answer but it was obvious that some of the congregation wanted Father Don out and the tension was very high at Holy Cross. We, along with many others, no longer attended Holy Cross after Father Don left. My prayers are with all that this has effected.

Linda, I miss the logic in your assertion that if the charges were dropped in the past it means that the accused “got away with it.” Also, I see no record of a prior arrest. Yet you and Nikki seem content to post to the whole world as though it were a fact. Nikki even claims to have “testified.” And she accuses your daughters (again, for the whole world to read) of not taking the “case” seriously enough. What case? There is no record in the Maryland Judiciary system of an arrest, much less a trial.

Can you explain this to us?

Dana,
I really don't know why it's not listed anywhere. But yes Father Donald Belcher had a case against him regarding my two daughters. One daughter had moved out of State before this. I was contacted and asked did I know where she was so she could be in court.I didn't know the other daughter didn't go to court, Also there were allegations of sexual abuse against him regarding his 12 year old stepgranddaughter.I've been wondering myself why there's nothing listed anywhere about the past.I just think if it'd been pushed harder earlier he'd been someplace where he'd be unable to assult the last victims.I will be checking with the proper authorties as to what did or did not happen around 2005. And what can be done now. My daughters were young Adults, so I don't know as much as if they were children when all the legal stuff happened.

Thanks Linda.

Linda,
It is entirely your business if you throw your young adult daughters out to the public for display. I am also not a fan of Don Belcher. My sympathies go out to your daughters dearly.
But, it was very callous, cruel and inappropriate for you to mention the other alleged victim. Or future victims which may come forward. Did you once think about that child and her family? If what you are saying is true, think about the psychological damage you may have just added to her burden. I believe you owe the family and this site an apology.
Please concentrate on taking care of your own business. Others victims will publically share their business, if they so chose.
Don Belcher will get his in the end.

AnonymousforNow: Sometimes when people are hurt their good judgment fails them. That might be the case for Linda bringing up the other alleged victim. Let's consider, though, that people caught up in the kinds of abuses being discussed have been deeply hurt. Let's not add to that.

Prior to reading Linda’s reply to my inquiry I held a view similar to yours. Indeed I was prepared to reply with a similar outrage. But then I thought about the advice that Atticus Finch gave to his daughter Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Atticus: Now, wait a minute. If you learn this single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person.... until you consider things from his point of view.

Scout: Sir?

Atticus: Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.

Whatever the genesis of Linda’s feelings (and the origin of her determination to share it with us) belongs to her alone. Her relationship with her daughters is her own concern and if it is strained by the subject at hand it should be the object of my prayer, not my judgment.

father don is a monster and should be put in jail for what he did to me and all his other victims. i was a victim of father don and when the time comes for that horrible man to go to court i will be the first one there waiting to testify and put his ass in jail. Father don i hope u burn in hell for the pain you have put me and my family through and now u will finally understand the pain u have put me through andd any one who doesn't belive me can glady email me at Arose6309@gmail.com and i will be glad to let you know what kind of monster father don really is.

Father Don is and was the most kind and generous person. The things he and his wife did for Alana and her sister Michelle are the things their mother or father didn't do for these young women. Alana and her family were supported by the church from rent to diapers to food. One was enrolled in community college by the church and the Belcher's. These young women were given so much love and support from the church to help with not only their mental health and drug addictions but to get them educated and to make them functional members of society. God only knows their motivation behind these false accusations. They give women a bad name.

To truthwillprevail get your dame facts straight before you post stuff u know nothing about. the only reason father don was helping my family out was so he could try to molest me. everytime father don or the church would help my family out he would then proceed to force himself on me sexually. he would hold me down and fondle me all while i was screaming no and asking him to stop and he wouldn't. u know father don is a big guy and i could not fight him off. this went on for quite some. if i hadn't of gone to the police when i did i'm sure father don would have eventually raped me. what he did to me was not with my consent at all. father don is a wolf in sheeps clothing and everyone will finally see him for the monster he is when he goes to trial. and as for any money the church helped me with i payed it back when i got my income taxes. so before you start posting stuff u dont know anything about maybe u should check what u are saying and get all ur factcs straight.

I have been reading some of the comments about good old Don Belcher and how some of you say you know him and there is no way he could have done this. Well let me tell You I know him too and one of the girls he abuse was my daughter and I hope he goes to hell for it. Maybe the reason you are standing behind Don is because you like kids too the same way he does. He has been doing this for a long time and getting away with it, but not anymore, To Hell with Don Belcher and all those who stand behind him.

I still haven't seen any record of this priest having been prosecuted in the past. Yet a few posters insist that he is a bad man. Others say he is a wonderful man.

The right place to accuse him is through the courts. The character assassination and slander going on here is undignified and unchristian.

dear kevin my name is alana rose and i too was one of father dons victims. He sexually abused me for almost a year. I went to the police and filed charges but they said i didnt have that much of a case. I want to tell you how sorry i am for what happened to your daughter. i know exactly what she is going through. If there is anything she or you ever need please email me. My email Adress is arose6309@gmail.com. whether its someone to talk to about whats happening or for me to testify at court i will do it i look forward to speaking with u

When you tried to extort money by filing charges, the Belchers wouldn’t pay. They wanted to go to court. Is this your latest business.

My Alana Rose - Erotic stories and tantalizing photos of a young amateur beauty.
myalanarose.com/

Kevin, good to see you got out now you can start being a father and try a honest living.
Really let this be tried in the courts.

Thanks Alana Rose, My daugher is the one from 2006 that hes is being charged with but at the time they told us the same thing they told you, didnt have much of a case and it was dropped. But Don messed up and gave us what we needed to send his ass away. Everybody knows what he did and does and now its time for him to pay. I dont need a judge to tell me what he has done, just need a judge to make him pay for what he has done. And Gloria you should be ashamed of yourself for backing Don on this. Thanks again Alana Rose,and dont listen to these people on here that think they know something when they haven't the foggiest idea of what they are talking about. Oh please stop calling him father don, maybe Creep don or child abuser don.. And Again Gloria and Don , see you in court, Gloria you really need to stay up on Yaak River Road, Troy. Let him go and if not Please don't talk to me anymore

Hey Dana, Sex Abuse is pretty Unchristian too. Wake Up, Grow Up, and Shut up. Slander , lol , Sue me Donnie Boy if you have it in you. Gloria ???

Apparently you know me, and yes I'm out. I have been out for a few years. I have done a lot of wrong in my life, but no one can ever say I have sexually abused a child or anyone else for that matter. I think sexually abusing children is about as low as you can go. The courts will decide this time, but even if he is some how found not guilty it does not mean he is not guilty , just lucky. If you respond to this, Please don't be a coward again, sign your name. As for an honest living goes, I have always worked for a living.

Kevin, I haven’t said anything uncivil to you. I have only pointed out that there is no record of Mr. Belcher having ever been prosecuted in the past in for any of the offenses that you and Alana are claiming. He has not, according to the Maryland Judiciary website, been prosecuted for sex abuse or any other crime, not even a traffic ticket. If you have proof to the contrary you are not offering it.

You want us to form our opinions based on your own outrage, not on proof, or evidence, or a court decision. Good people don’t do that. That’s why we have a judicial system. We don’t make our judgments based on internet postings of anonymous accusers.

Here in the rest of America that we take that whole “innocent until proven guilty” thing seriously.

Dear Let The Courts Work
Do you realize how many Alana Roses there are? The person doesn't even really have to be named that. Could be just using it for the web site.How dare you put the implcation out there. I checked it out believe me that is not my daughter. If so her tatoo's are airbrushed out.The person says her eyes are Bluish Gray, Alana's aren't.Etc.Kevin my prayers are with you and your family.As for those who say there wasn't a court case in the past, I had law enforcement contact me back than to try to locate my daughter so she could be in court.

Just to clarify matters Linda, I never said that there was not a court case. What I said is that the Maryland Judiciary website ( http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp ) shows no record of such a case.

Perhaps it was a Grand Jury investigation (which is not a trial), or some other kind of proceeding. Or it could have been expunged from the record. The door is opened for you to explain. You said you had "law enforcement contact me" about the case back then. That doesn't necessarily mean there was a case.

On January 10 you wrote: ".I will be checking with the proper authorities as to what did or did not happen around 2005."

That is a pretty clear admission that you don't know what happened. Otherwise why would you need to check with the "authorities," rather than rely on your own recollection?

Frankly if I were the defense attorney I would be delighted that you, Kevin, and Alana have posted here. Among other things it would be useful in requesting a change in venue. Your apparent contradictions are telling. Alana's speculation that the accused "would have eventually raped me," is a clear acknowledgment that she wasn't raped. And Kevin's taunting "Sue me Donnie Boy if you have it in you," all work in favor of the accused man.

To dana first off the reason i said he would have eventually raped me is because father don dosen't take no for an answer. So instead of giving him the chance to rape me i went to the police. i don't care anymore what you say father don molested me and that cant be changed. but what can be changed is him being around little kids. i will get justice for what he did to me. you say he is such a good man than why are there five completely different victims out there all trying to bring charges against him. all of you non-belivers need to wake up and see don for the monster he really is. and to whoever is claiming those erotic pictures are me better get there facts straight or i will sue you for slander and defamation of character and take you for all your worth. and anyone who belives its me on that website than look again. cause i have two tattoos one on my neck and back and i have brown eyes not greenish blue. so get your facts straight.

You must have me confused with another poster Alana. I never wrote anything about Father Belcher’s being a good man or a bad man. Also, I am not the poster that put up the website purporting to be you. I believe that was someone using the name “Let the courts work,” it was not me.

Before you start threatening people you might take the time to get your facts straight. Go back and read what was posted and by whom before you start spouting off about suing people and such nonsense. As I said, it was not me.

That said, you are the one that posted your name and email address on this website and opened yourself up to ridicule by other persons, apparently from your own church, and you own responsibility for it.

I cannot read any more of this sickening post. Most of these postings appear to be false, posted by false witnesses and it sickens me to read this tripe. Simply reading the earlier posts a concious reader will see through the screen of false hoods. I will simply close with saying that the one case that I do know of involved a young married woman who aside from posting here could of easily overpowered this feable old man! With his joint replacements and the fact that he once passed out during a service, I cannot take these alligations seriously. It is also my understanding that the Baltimore Sun article is in error as to this being child abuse!

Anonymous2, it is the Cecil County Assistant State’s Attorney that is making the allegations of child abuse, not the Sun. Let’s not blame the messenger.

For the person or persons who are claiming that there are erotic pictures on the web of me than you need to get your facts straight. That is not me on myalanarose.com. I have a tattoo on my back and the girl on the site has none also the girl has grayish blue eyes but mine are brown. So to whoever put up that link needs to get there facts straight before they get sued for slander.

Well finally Donald Belcher admitted his guilt. To bad he didn't just control himself and not ruin those girls lives.To all victims and parents of victims be sure to get some counseling.

GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY the son of a bitch pled guilty. its about time he took responsibilty for what he did. now hopefully no other children or woman will be hurt by this monster ever again

I knew Donald Belcher before he was ordained at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Troy, Mt. I know him to be a very bad actor and I was opposed to his ordination. He was ordained by Bishop Cy Jones who has also been deposed by the Episcopal Church for various and sundry offenses. Gloria used to harangue me by the hour for not supporting Donald in his bid for the priesthood; it would appear my opposition was well founded and her support was ill ad vised.

Totally completely unbelievable.Don Belcher got a suspended and yet his victims will suffer for life. To the victims family I'd be looking into a possible civil suit.He should pay for the counseling needed and pain and suffering.As a grandparent I would never expose my grandchildren to this, yet Don Belchers wife Gloria did?

Apparently Montana is fighting his request to come back and live at a bar here in Yaak. However, I see plenty of local Yaak people going into the Dirty Shame which indirectly assists Belcher. What is wrong with people? I am sickened by the hypocrisy of the religious zealots in the world and hope the rest of you cease supporting these ridiculous religious organisations that do nothing more than harbor criminals.

All pedophiles should be blinded by law. Their first offense is always "seeing" the child. Therefore, the pedophiles should never be allowed to "see" another child again. It is the only way to secure the child will never have to be "seen" by their abuser again.

I live in the Yaak, No I do not go to The Shame and have not for a long time. I also do not know of any locals that go there or support there bar. I would also say I do not know of any locals that would support him returning to the valley.