The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, and not the allegedly destitute priest accused of sexual abuse, will be paying a man $2 million for a single act of sexual abuse, as reported by the Kansas City Star and Orange County Register.
The case, from an incident that occurred in either 1986 or 1987 and was allegedly covered-up by the diocese, was settled in Orange County Superior Court on June 18.
The victim, referred to as John Doe by the press, is a 41-year-old married man with two children, a decorated combat pilot in the Air Force and a resident of Nevada. The victim alleged that he was abused by former Monsignor Michael Harris when Harris was the principal of Mater Dei High School.
The general counsel of the Diocese of Orange, Maria Schinderle, said that the diocese settled only for the church and not for Harris. Harris remains, technically, a defendant.
Vince Finaldi, John Doe's attorney said that the lawsuit is not pursuing Harris, as he is insolvent. Finaldi added, "We're very proud to have represented this client, a true war hero, but, more than that, someone who has been strong throughout this case, especially given his position in the Air Force, which has made it very difficult for him."
Along with the $2 million settlement, according to Finaldi, the diocese has agreed to write John Doe a letter of apology. Finaldi said, "That letter is as important to him as any settlement money.
Schinderle said that Doe requested that the letter be from Bishop Tod D. Brown. Schinderle added, "He (Brown) is always willing to apologize for anyone who has been injured by any priest. For any injuries this plaintiff may have suffered in his encounters with Michael Harris, we will be apologizing."
Harris left the clergy when the scandal became public ten years ago. Prior to that he had served as principal at Mater Dei and at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
In 2011 the Los Angeles and Orange diocese settled a $5.2 million sexual abuse lawsuit that involved a student at Santa Margarita and Harris. In 2005 nine sexual abuse accusers came forward to name Harris and pursued suits against the Diocese of Orange, and later, in 2004, 12 more filed against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, again naming Harris for sexual abuse.
Following a 1986 incident, in which John Doe was heralded as a hero for thwarting a purse-snatcher, he was awarded at the school. During the congratulatory process, as alleged by Doe, when the two were alone Harris grabbed his penis and orally copulated him.
The western regional director of Survivors network of those Abused by Priests, Joelle Casteix, commented, "…Unfortunately, Michael Harris is still a free man who has complete access to kids. The Diocese of Orange cut him loose onto society with full knowledge that he is a monster. And yet, the people who covered up for Harris have remained unpunished and many have been promoted. True justice will be served when Harris and everyone who covered up for him are held publicly accountable. We have no reason to believe that Harris has stopped preying on children. Hopefully, we can get him behind bars - where he belongs."
Being sexually abused by a priest, or any member of the clergy, is grounds for a lawsuit. You too can maintain you anonymity, and help to protect others from further abuse, when you contact a personal injury lawyer for help.