Altar boys will share sex abuse settlement
Source: Agencies |
May 15, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DOZENS of former altar boys who sued Vermont's Catholic church in the United States over allegations of sexual abuse by priests 30 years ago will share in a nearly US$18 million settlement of their cases.
The attorney for the 26 plaintiffs and the bishop of the statewide Diocese of Burlington said on Thursday they were pleased by the settlement, but both acknowledged that the cases had been difficult for the victims.
"Our clients are very happy to have the opportunity to close this chapter in their lives," said plaintiff attorney Jerome O'Neill. "All of them know that nothing goes away, nothing changes the pain. They will live with this the rest of their lives, but at least now they can put this piece behind them and move forward."
An arbitrator will divide the settlement among the plaintiffs, depending on the their injuries, their recoveries and other factors, O'Neill said. Payments are expected by the end of June, he said.
Bishop Salvatore Matano asked for prayers to help the victims heal from the abuse.
"This has been a very painful process for the victims and for all the members of our diocesan family," Matano said. "I once again apologize most sincerely for the pain the victims have suffered. I ask that you join me in praying always for these wounded and hurt brothers and sisters."
The lawsuits accused the diocese of negligent hiring, and many of the cases centered on the defrocked Reverend Edward Paquette, who was the target of allegations before he transferred to Vermont in the mid-1970s. Paquette had worked in parishes in Rutland and Montpelier and in Christ the King Church in Burlington, and he was accused of molesting dozens of altar boys.
The diocese didn't dispute that the molestations happened. The 80-year-old priest recently told the Burlington Free Press newspaper he was sorry for his actions and prays daily for the families of the people he harmed.
The head of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, called the settlement purely a business deal by the diocese.
The attorney for the 26 plaintiffs and the bishop of the statewide Diocese of Burlington said on Thursday they were pleased by the settlement, but both acknowledged that the cases had been difficult for the victims.
"Our clients are very happy to have the opportunity to close this chapter in their lives," said plaintiff attorney Jerome O'Neill. "All of them know that nothing goes away, nothing changes the pain. They will live with this the rest of their lives, but at least now they can put this piece behind them and move forward."
An arbitrator will divide the settlement among the plaintiffs, depending on the their injuries, their recoveries and other factors, O'Neill said. Payments are expected by the end of June, he said.
Bishop Salvatore Matano asked for prayers to help the victims heal from the abuse.
"This has been a very painful process for the victims and for all the members of our diocesan family," Matano said. "I once again apologize most sincerely for the pain the victims have suffered. I ask that you join me in praying always for these wounded and hurt brothers and sisters."
The lawsuits accused the diocese of negligent hiring, and many of the cases centered on the defrocked Reverend Edward Paquette, who was the target of allegations before he transferred to Vermont in the mid-1970s. Paquette had worked in parishes in Rutland and Montpelier and in Christ the King Church in Burlington, and he was accused of molesting dozens of altar boys.
The diocese didn't dispute that the molestations happened. The 80-year-old priest recently told the Burlington Free Press newspaper he was sorry for his actions and prays daily for the families of the people he harmed.
The head of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, called the settlement purely a business deal by the diocese.
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