A Second Alleged Victim of Deceased Priest

As reported by Livingston Daily, Bishop Earl Boyea, Catholic Diocese leader of ten counties including Lansing, agreed to a payment of $225,000 to a man abused by a priest in the 1950's in the St. Vincent children's home.

The diocesan insurance company paid the claim on August 17. This is the second claim to be made public in a week involving deceased priests and decades old abuse.

Bishop Boyea believes that now-deceased Rev. John Martin, allegedly abused at least a half-dozen male children between 1941 to 1966, while at the St. Isidore in Laingsburg. 

In the new case, now-deceased Monsignor John Slowey, the founder of St. Vincent's, is being accused of abuse. The unidentified victim's attorney, David Mittleman, explained that three siblings were placed in St. Vincent's care by their parents in June of 1954 until the family could be together again in March 1955.

The client, suppressing the memory for many decades, recalled it in full approximately 18 months ago. The diocese denies the allegations in the text of the settlement.

Spokesperson for the diocese, Michael Diebold, confirmed the payment and stated that the information wasn't made public as Slowey had died in 1983 and couldn't refute the claim, "We simply don't know.  This is the only complaint that has been made against Slowey, either before or after his death."

Martin's alleged abuse complaints stem from multiple victims, not in contact with each other, but with similar stories to tell.  Making this information public allows a chance for other victims to come forward, said Bishop Boyea.  Deibold commented, "We have pledged that, if we become aware of a substantiated report of abuse, we will publicize it."

If a priest is living, Deibold claims, then the case is turned over to criminal prosecutors to investigate.  If allegations are substantiated - the priest doesn't necessarily have to be prosecuted - the priest is removed from the ministry.

When a church review board listened to Mittleman's client last fall, they found him to be credible.

Mittleman states that his client, an attorney himself, suffered a breakdown when he remembered the abuse and hasn't been able to work since. 

In response to this Diebold said, "Even if we get an allegation that we can't substantiate, we continue to support those who claim they have been abused.  If that support includes assistance in getting counseling, we'll do that."

St Vincent Catholic Charities spokesperson, Julie Picot, stated that this allegation is considered, "a very serious matter" to St. Vincent employees and is "a reminder of the vulnerability of those we serve and the importance of keeping them safe."

She continued by assuring that modern safeguards, such as background checks on all staff and volunteers, are performed.  Additionally, the children's homes are equipped with working cameras and a more openly designed new building was finished in 2004.

If you, or a loved one, have been a victim of priest abuse, contact a Personal Injury Attorney from our directory that can help you!