Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Religion & Law Blogs -> Religion Clause

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Religion & Law

: Religion Clause

Reports On Two Priest Sexual Abuse Cases

By Howard M. Friedman

ADVERTISEMENTS

The Seattle Times reported yesterday that a settlement has been agreed to in mid-trial by one of two plaintiffs suing the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle over sexual abuse by a priest in 1976. The offending priest, Patrick O'Donnell, was transferred from Spokane to Seattle without Spokane Bishop Bernard Topel telling Seattle Church officials that O'Donnell was a repeat pedophile. 87-year old former Seattle Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen testified at the trial yesterday. Yesterday's Seattle Post-Intelligencer describes his testimony in some detail. The second plaintiff in the case has not settled, and the trial continues on his claims.

Meanwhile, the Wilmington, Delaware News-Journal reports on another ongoing priest abuse case. A civil suit was filed in Delaware state court by a 46-year old man against the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and Salesianum School. Plaintiff says he was abused from 1982-1984 by now-deceased Rev. Richard Grant who was principal of the school. This is one of more than a dozen suits that have been filed against the Oblates and several of their priests since Delaware opened a two-year window for old claims to be filed through its 2007 Child Victim Act.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 19, 2009 (boomark / email).