The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is facing a lawsuit for its alleged concealment of a former priest's sexual abuse, and for conspiring with others, as reported by the Salisbury Post.
The suit, filed from a former altar boy listed as John Doe, 40, stated that the diocese was responsible to report alleged abuse - but instead they conspired with others to cover up a specific priest's behavior.
The priest, R.F., served Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 1983 to 1984.
In 2004, R.F. pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The charge, originally for taking indecent liberties with a minor, had been reduced down.
At the time of the assault John Doe was 14 and R.F. was serving at St. Ann's Catholic Church. The abuse continued when the priest was transferred to Sacred Heart.
Per the suit, R.F. performed oral sex on John Doe during the 1984 Thanksgiving holiday.
Also during 1984, R.F. visited John Doe when the boy was admitted to a hospital. When R.F. was allowed to take John Doe off site, per the suit, he molested him in his car near Blue Ridge Parkway.
John Doe was encouraged by his father to be counseled by the priest, as the boy had behavioral issues.
The victim had told the priest of an episode in 1983 when he had been sexually abused during a hitchhiking trip to Chicago.
The suit lists a John Doe 2 as a separate victim, from Sacred Heart, that was allegedly abused by R.F.
The suit details all of the reasons R.F. was unfit to serve as a priest: His attraction to teenage boys, sexual abuse of teenage boys, addictions to sex and alcohol, his inability to maintain his celibacy vows and to observe boundaries.
R.F. also participated in Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
In 1985 R.F. was sent to the House of Affirmation to be treated for sexual misconduct and/or sexual abuse. In 1998 he was sent away again, for the same misconduct and/or abuse, to a monastery.
During his two absences, the church paid for both his treatment and living expenses. Besides the leave time, he was also given transfers to other parishes and schools - within and outside of the Charlotte Diocese.
The suit states that every bishop, vicar and administrator was "engaged in a pattern and practice of protecting priests and other employees who they knew or suspected to have engaged in sexual misconduct with children."
The suit also claims that false documents were fabricated so that "something other than (for) sexual abuse/misconduct" would be construed.
Court documents state that the diocese failed to take action to protect John Doe, as well as other children, from R.F.
R.F. is allegedly in Florida visiting his mother.
Attorneys Seth Landson and Leto Copeley represent John Doe. Neither attorney commented for this story.
If you, or a loved one, has suffered at the hands of a priest, contact a personal injury lawyer from our directory today! The priest, and his diocese, can be held accountable.