An unidentified victim of priest abuse has spoken out in support of other victims yet to come forward, as his own lawsuit against his former priest, A.C., and the Diocese of San Bernardino, heads toward litigation, as reported by the San Bernardino Sun.
The victim, 30, spoke to reporters about priest abuse in front of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. He reported that he was molested by a priest a few months after his 18th birthday. He said, "You gotta talk to your kids. Give them the benefit of the doubt."
There are currently three lawsuits filed against A.C. alleging abuse, and against the diocese for covering it up.
Anthony De Marco, the victim's attorney, said, "We know of complaints that were made years ago and (the diocese) actively worked with Father (A.C.) to silence the victims."
According to diocese spokesman John Andrews, A.C. was permanently banned from public ministry by Bishop G.B. Andrews said, "Any time we learn of a new allegation of abuse in our diocese we are saddened and dismayed. Our church believes and teaches and trains that sexual abuse of children and youth is unacceptable, a crime and a sin."
Andrews added that it has not yet been decided whether A.C. will be laicized or defrocked – his fate is up to the Vatican, where documents regarding his case have been sent. He further stated that A.C. will most likely not be able to act as a priest for any diocese due to his criminal record.
The victim, accompanied by members of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), gave his account to reporters at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church because it is where A.C. had worked for seven years. It is also the location where the victim was allegedly abused.
The victim, 18 when the abuse occurred, couldn't file charges due to his age.
The abuse included full-body massages by A.C. sporadically for two years. The victim said, "I was thinking that was normal."
A group of parishioners collected over $24,000 to post A.C.'s bail in April 2011 – in August 2011 A.C. had been sentenced to one year in prison for pleading no contest to committing a lewd act on a child.
A.C. was returned to jail within two weeks of his release. Apparently none of A.C.'s supporters realized that they could not have children in attendance at a surprise welcome-home party, which was a violation of his probation.
De Marco commented that both he, and SNAP members, expect to hear from several more victims in the next few months, as each slowly comes forward to share their stories of abuse. De Marco said, "How many boys has he had unfettered access to? How many boys have suffered in silence?"
Victims of priest abuse can file lawsuits for monetary awards, to compensate for years of pain and suffering by a priest, and/or the diocese that turned a blind eye to the behavior. Contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit today!