Priest's release from prison worries some

ST. LOUIS -- A former priest who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child is free after 12 years in prison, and advocates for victims of clergy abuse say they are worried about what could happen next.

Gary Wolken, 49, was released Monday from the state prison in Cameron, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Victims' advocates say the Archdiocese of St. Louis has a responsibility to protect the public.

"We believe it's disingenuous and dangerous for bishops to recruit, educate, ordain, hire, train, supervise, transfer and shield predator priests, but then defrock them when their crimes hit the headlines and do nothing else to protect the vulnerable from them," said David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

The archdiocese said in a statement Wolken is no longer a priest and will be subject to all sex offender regulations.

It also encouraged anyone wishing to report misconduct with a minor to contact clergy, church or archdiocese personnel, or police.

Wolken admitted in 2002 he sexually abused a Ballwin boy he helped care for as a baby sitter from 1997 to 2000.

Wolken was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2003.

A civil suit cost the Archdiocese of St. Louis almost $1.7 million.