Latest News 2011 August Philadelphia's Roman Catholic Church at Crux of $450K Suit

Philadelphia's Roman Catholic Church at Crux of $450K Suit

The Huffington Post has reported that the Roman Catholic church of Philadelphia, its diocese, and other defendants, stand accused of "callous indifference" in a lawsuit filed by a man that suffered from priest abuse that began when he was 10 years old.

The same man, known in the suit as "Billy", is also in the center of a criminal case against the Philadelphia archdiocese.

"Billy" alleges that the church allowed two priests, and a teacher in its employ, to repeatedly rape him when he served as an altar boy.

The suit is seeking a minimum of $450,000 in damages.

The three church personnel were called "a trio of pedophiles" by prosecutors, for actions that occurred from 1999 to 2000.

The first, Rev. C.E. allegedly forced "Billy" to perform and receive oral sex - in a church sacristy.

A few weeks after, a second man, Rev. E.A., is accused of performing oral sex and digital penetration - after bell choir.

The third, when "Billy" was 11, was his sixth grade teacher, B.S.  B.S. is accused of oral sex and anal rape - during a car ride home.

"Billy" went to school at the Northeast Philadelphia St. Jerome Parish.  The trio lived or worked at St Jerome at the time of the incidents.

The lawsuit stated that since his sexual abuse, "Billy" has been hospitalized 10 times.  The last hospitalization occurred just this past month, and each visit was for drug and mental health treatments.

At the same time as the assaults, when "Billy" was 11, he used marijuana.  In the years to come "Billy" would turn to painkillers and heroin.   The suit alleges that the abuse caused the victim to become both sullen and withdrawn.

One "Billy's" lawyers, Paul Lauricella, said, "How many people would have welcomed information that would have explained why little Johnny is acting so strange and withdrawn and sullen, and knowing it's not something you did as a parent.  All of these secrets prolonged people's suffering, and even exacerbated it."

Prosecutors have alleged that Rev. E.A. was assigned to St. Jerome by then-Cardinal A.B. even though the reverend had been in a treatment center - from an earlier complaint of sex abuse - in 1992.  E.A. was allowed to attend to children in mass, confessionals and as a DJ for dances at the church's school.

In the criminal case all three men have had rape charges filed against them.  A fourth church official and secretary to the clergy, Monsignor W.L., has also been charged with conspiracy and child endangerment.

The civil suit said, "The callous indifference manifested by (then-Cardinal A.B.) and (Monsignor W.L.) to the safety and well-being of children left in the care and custody of the Archdiocese was a function of their paramount desire to protect the Church, even at the expense of innocent children, who were ravaged, molested, and abused."

Per spokeswoman Donna Farrell, the archdiocese has refused to comment.

If a priest or employee of the church has abused you, or someone you hold dear, contact a personal injury lawyer for help.  Oftentimes monetary compensation is awarded.

Categories: Priest Abuse

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