Two new federal lawsuits filed this week accusing a dozen Missouri priests and clergy members of sexual abuse.
The priests come from two dioceses, Jefferson City and Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Both claims are seeking a jury trial, but no court date has been set.
One of the two lawsuits filed on September 13 alleges that the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese administration willfully covered up abuse allegations against seven priests and clerics in the 1980s and 1990s. The complaint seeks $75 million in damages, claiming that the purported cover-up prolonged the victims’ suffering.
The names of the accused are:
- Fr. Leonard Chambers
- Fr. John Harth
- Fr. Reeker
- Fr. Thomas McCarthy
- Fr. Thomas Reidy
- Msgr. John Westheus
- Fr. Michael McDevitt
Three claimants were unable to recall the name of their abuser. Another complainant claimed their molestation was perpetrated by an anonymous youth pastor.
In a statement, the diocese defines its policy for examining charges and declares a zero-tolerance approach. The diocese additionally states: “Any violation of this policy will be grounds for discipline up to and including termination.”
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The men accused in this lawsuit are:
- Fr. Francis Gilgannon
- Fr. Dave (no last name given)
- Fr. David Darr
- Fr. Gerald Howard, previously Carmen Sita
- Fr. Thomas Duggan
Five people have accused the Jefferson City Catholic Diocese of covering up their abuse. This lawsuit is also seeking $75 million in damages.
In a statement, the Diocese stated that none of the accused clergymen are now employed by the Diocese, and three had died. The Jefferson City Diocese is looking into claims against a deceased priest who had no previous allegations. It is also attempting to determine who Dave is, as the complaint was unable to identify them by their entire name.
David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) inscribed the names of the live accused priests and clergymen on the sidewalk in front of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where the alleged abuse occurred.
“The simple truth is that child molesters always have and always will gravitate towards positions of power over kids and access to kids, and the ministry is perfect for that,” says Clohessy.
Clohessy understands the victims’ suffering because he was previously mistreated.
“It’s not that I lost faith. “I feel like my faith has been stolen from me,” Clohessy stated.
Clohessy and SNAP’s objection is that the Dioceses are not disclosing what the living accused clerics are doing now, whether they work in a new part of the Catholic Church or continue to be near children in some way, or the specifics of the inquiry.
“It is important that church officials share what they know about these men, because that kind of information really, really helps survivors feel validated and feel some degree of closure and comfort,” according to Clohessy.
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