Parker Waichman LLP

St. Louis Archdiocese Begins Talk of Resolving Abuse Suits

Archdiocese Begun To Resolve Sexual Abuse Suits. The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis has quietly begun talks to resolve sexual abuse suits pending against it because of alleged assaults by priests even though the church may have no legal liability to pay damages to potential victims. Bishop Joseph Naumann touched briefly on the behind-the-scenes efforts […]

St. Louis Archdiocese Abuse Lawsuit

Archdiocese Begun To Resolve Sexual Abuse Suits. The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis has quietly begun talks to resolve sexual abuse suits pending against it because of alleged assaults by priests even though the church may have no legal liability to pay damages to potential victims.

Bishop Joseph Naumann touched briefly on the behind-the-scenes efforts at a news conference last week.

Naumann is the Archdiocesan Administrator until a successor to former Archbishop Justin Rigali is appointed. Naumann said he hoped to have a mediation process in place as early as next month.

After the news conference, Bernard Huger, an attorney for the archdiocese, confirmed that preliminary talks about mediation have begun with attorneys Patrick Noaker and Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul, Minn., and Kenneth Chakes and Susan Carlson of St. Louis.

Other archdioceses have used mediation to settle their own cases, most notably the Boston Archdiocese which agreed in September to pay $85 million to settle abuse claims.

The lawyers involved in the preliminary talks have been in the forefront of filing civil suits against the Rev. Michael McGrath and other priests, accusing them of sexually molesting young men and women.

“Even if the statute of limitations has run or there are other legal defenses, we are willing to pay for counseling,” Naumann said.

For plaintiffs to collect damages from the church in a suit, they would have to prove first the abuse took place, and then prove that church officials knew about the misconduct and deliberately covered it up.

McGrath is the defendant in 14 suits

McGrath is the defendant in 14 suits, two of which were filed Tuesday. Those filings prompted a news conference by Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and a follow-up press conference by Naumann.

The two men say they were sexually abused repeatedly by McGrath between 1984 and 1986 while he was assigned to St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church in Concord Village.

In the suits in St. Louis Circuit Court, the alleged victims were identified only as John Doe IT and John Doe BB.

David Clohessy, executive director of SNAP, said the men were 12 and 13 when the abuse began. He said McGrath would abuse them in his van while he took them out for ice cream or to a ball game.

SNAP asked the archdiocese to include in church bulletins in the parishes where McGrath had served a request that abuse victims notify either the circuit attorney in St. Louis or the prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County.

Naumann denied the request saying that parishioners at those churches were already aware of the allegations contained in the suits against McGrath.

McGrath, 57, lives in Richmond Heights, Mo. He was removed from active duty as a priest in 1997. He has never been charged with a crime.

Church officials say they were aware of only one allegation against him: in 1993, a man said McGrath had fondled him 20 years earlier, when McGrath was a seminarian. McGrath said he didn’t recall the incident.

In June, Allen Klump filed a wrongful death suit against McGrath, the archdiocese and Rigali. Klump alleged his son, Christopher, 30, took a fatal dose of cocaine last spring after he learned it was too late under the statute of limitations to bring criminal charges against McGrath.

Need Legal Help Regarding St. Louis Archdiocese Handling of Sex Abuse?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Great staff extremely helpful and sympathetic to your needs
David Fritzman
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
They handled my Social Security disability and did a great job! I've recommended them to several people.
Margie Sanchez
6 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Hi. my name is Ramona Reynoso. I’m very happy I picked Parker and Waichman to fight for me! They made me feel like part of their family! Julie, Maryann and Jorge Peniche were only a phone call away! They answered all my questions and kept me inform of the progress of my case. They were very friendly and profesional!! I would definitely use Parker and Waichman in the future and I would definitely recommend them to family and friends! Jorge Peniche, Julie and Mariann you guys are the best!!!!
edwin acosta
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038