A woman is claiming in a new lawsuit that a priest that sought her out for "counseling", sexually assaulted her and the church responded to the allegations by sending him to Poland, according to the Courthouse News Service.
The woman, known by Jane Doe in the lawsuit, has named the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa and Father (M.L.) as defendants.
The suit was filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
The Does claim that M.L. met them at "Our Lady of Czestochowa to celebrate their wedding anniversary" during a church retreat. From that initial meeting "Defendant (M.L.) encouraged plaintiffs to drink alcohol with him and to discuss any marital difficulties they were having. He was very charming and encouraged them to be open with him. Plaintiffs trusted defendant (M.L.) to act in their best interests and shared their marital challenges with defendant (M.L.), who was particularly interested in learning about their sex life. Plaintiff Jane Doe was a victim of child sex abuse and told (M.L.) about the abuse she suffered. He also encouraged her to talk about her feelings of depression and difficulties dealing with sex after having given birth to 9 children, and several miscarriages."
Following their first meeting, M.L. allegedly "insisted that plaintiff Jane Doe come to Our Lady of Czestochowa to visit him for 'counseling'...On March 26, 2012, at Our Lady of Czestochowa, in a private room, defendant Lacki sexually abused and assaulted the plaintiff without her consent and against her will…Defendant invited plaintiff to meet with him individually and insisted plaintiff come to a private room alone, where Lacki isolated the plaintiff and began forced unsolicited sexual assault and abuse against plaintiff. Despite repeated attempts by plaintiff to ward off the assaults, it progressed to (M.L.'s) forcible digital rape of plaintiff after which he smeared her menstrual blood on her face."
The Archdiocese, notified of the assault by the Does, informed the Bucks County District Attorney's Office. Detectives pursued M.L. for an interview and he told them that "it was under the seal of confession and, therefore, he declined to speak to the police."
Then, according to the complaint, "The Bucks County District Attorney's Office accepted this answer and did not pursue the case."
As the police department failed to act, M.L. left the jurisdiction and, as alleged in the lawsuit, entered Poland for the specific purpose of avoiding criminal and civil actions against him and the church.
The Does state that the archdiocese and others concealed knowledge of M.L.'s deviate sexual interests, as it had done with other members of its clergy in the past.
The Does are represented by attorney Daniel Monahan who is seeking punitive damages for sexual assault, vicarious liability and negligence.
Being sexually abused or molested by a priest is grounds for a lawsuit. Contact a personal injury lawyer for help today!