Victims Speak Out About Priest Abuse
Traumatic memories for victims of sexual abuse. The recent attention given to sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has brought back traumatic memories for victims of sexual abuse. Guy Guckenberger Jr. was 10 years old when he was sexually abused for former Catholic priest George Cooley. Guckenberger told WLWT Eyewitness News … [Read more...]
Alleged Victim’s Flashbacks Led to Arrest of Notorious Priest
Flashbacks Lead to Arrest of A Notorious Priest. In a job-performance review in January, his supervisors described him as an ``excellent airman'' and an ``exceptional patrolman'' on the fast track to becoming one of the future leaders of the Air Force. By early February, however, Paul Busa had reversed course, beginning a spiral into … [Read more...]
Calif. Officials Seek Abuse Victims
Orange County authorities are seeking out potential victims of abuse by Roman Catholic priests rather than waiting for people to file police reports. Investigators have been digging through civil court cases, following up media reports and working with church officials to identify possible victims. Assistant District Attorney … [Read more...]
Removal Of Priests Shocks Parishioners
Parishioners are stunned at recently announced allegations For four years, the Rev. Richard "Doc" Bartz celebrated Mass at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Wauconda and led funeral and wedding ceremonies. He was known by some long-time parishioners as a dependable, respected, even well-loved priest. Now, those same … [Read more...]
Boston Church, 86 Plaintiffs Reach Settlement In Abuse Suit
Settlement In Abuse Suit. A judge today approved a $10 million settlement between the Archdiocese of Boston and 86 alleged victims of sexual abuse by defrocked priest and convicted pedophile John J. Geoghan. The settlement resolves a case that helped spark a crisis in Roman Catholic dioceses worldwide with revelations that church … [Read more...]
Geoghan Victims Get $10M: Judge Oddly Praises All Parties
The victims in the John J. Geoghan abuse suit An emotional Superior Court judge yesterday praised the courage of the victims in the John J. Geoghan abuse suit, but surprised some onlookers by also lauding Geoghan's former Archdiocese of Boston supervisors for their actions in the bitter three-year case. After formalizing a $10 … [Read more...]
Sexual Abuse Victims Question Archbishop
A listening and healing session Just down the hall from where a group of local Cub Scouts were meeting, Archbishop Harry J. Flynn conducted a listening and healing session Monday night at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Forest Lake regarding the issue of priest abusers. As reports of pedophilia swept through the Catholic ministry … [Read more...]
Lawyer: Diocese Slowed Lavigne Case
Diocese Slowed Lavigne Case. The lawyer representing several of the alleged abuse victims of the Rev. Richard R. Lavigne said Tuesday that sealed documents released Monday show contradictions in how the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield responded to the criminal case and that it may have actively attempted to slow down the … [Read more...]
Abuse Victims To Press For Reforms
Recent revisions to an abuse prevention policy Advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse, frustrated with Catholic bishops' recent revisions to an abuse prevention policy, said Saturday they will lobby legislators to enact protections because they cannot rely on the church to do the job. "You're not going to reform the church, … [Read more...]
Milwaukee Archdiocese Agrees To Mediation With Abuse Victims, Hopes For ‘Restorative Justice’
Meditation With Abuse Victims. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee said Wednesday it has agreed to mediation with abuse victims who filed five lawsuits against it earlier this month. "The archbishop has said his hope is that these cases can be resolved through mediation and that the mediation would focus not on just legalistic issues but … [Read more...]
Lennon Picks Sites For Sale, Eyes Court Test In Abuse Cases
Church Abuse Cases. In a gesture aimed at assuring 500 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse that the Boston Archdiocese is committed to a financial settlement of their claims, the newly named apostolic administrator, Bishop Richard G. Lennon, said yesterday that he has selected church properties for sale and directed officials to … [Read more...]
Flood of Suits On Abuse Seen In California
Suits On Abuse Against The Archdiocese Of Los Angeles. A new California law suspending the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse crimes takes effect today, and attorneys and church officials expect it to spark hundreds of new lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and a dozen other dioceses across the state. The … [Read more...]
Daylesford Priest Faces Trial For Sex Abuse
Daylesford Priest Charge Of Sexual Assault. A local priest was held over for court in West Chester on charges of indecent assault after one of his reported victims tearfully broke down during cross-examination at the preliminary hearing. A break had to be taken during questioning by defense attorney Samuel C. Stretton as the man … [Read more...]
Abuse Victims Hope Meeting With McCormack Bears Fruit
Organizers of a meeting between alleged abuse victims of a now-deceased priest and a former Boston archdiocese official are hoping it will provide the same benefits as a similar meeting with Cardinal Bernard Law last fall. About 100 people, including alleged victims of the late Rev. Joseph Birmingham and their families, are … [Read more...]
Calif. Diocese Publishes Victim’s Story
It published a victim’s firsthand account The Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino is responding to the church sex abuse scandal in an unusual way: It published a victim's firsthand account and is distributing a video to its parishes to raise awareness. "Victims have said, 'Don't tell us that you're praying for us if you're not … [Read more...]
New Claims Filed Vs. Boston Archdiocese
New Claims Against The Boston Archdiocese. Like many alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests, Scott Montesano says he was too ashamed to come forward. "I realize now I was not at fault," said Montesano, who alleges that he was molested as an altar boy in East Boston. "I just fell prey." The 40-year-old Salem man was among … [Read more...]
Church Increases Its Offer to $65m
Catholic Church Sex Abuse Case. Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley yesterday increased the Archdiocese of Boston's settlement offer to alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse from $55 million to $65 million, a figure far less than the 542 plaintiffs requested last week but still the largest ever offered in this country to settle such claims, … [Read more...]
Priest abuse victims ask for more time to sue
Reject Claims Due to Statute of Limitations. Timothy Hassett says he was in fourth grade when his priest began taking him to the church rectory and molesting him. The sexual abuse at St. Mary's of Redford in Detroit lasted two years, Hassett says, and the damage was permanent. He was drinking by sixth grade. Drugs followed in … [Read more...]
New Rule Gives Nursing Home Abuse Victims the Right to Sue
Nursing Home Abuse Victims. Thanks to a new ruling, victims of nursing home abuse and neglect will no longer be barred from court due to pre-dispute arbitration clauses. The rule, which takes effect on Nov. 28, prevents nursing homes who receive federal funding from forcing residents to sign admission contracts that contain … [Read more...]
New Book about Horace Mann Sex Abuse Scandal Calls for Extension of Statute of Limitations for Abuse Victims
A new book about the sex-abuse scandal at the prestigious Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York identifies coaches, teachers and administrators accused of raping and assaulting scores of students over three decades. The book, Great is the Truth, also names officials at the prep school, including a former headmaster and a … [Read more...]
