Sexual abuse scandal in Hartford archdiocese
The sexual abuse scandal in Hartford archdiocese is a significant episode in the series of Catholic sex abuse cases in the United States and Ireland.
Abuse Affairs
Bishop Henry J. Mansell allegedly encouraged Edward Pipala, a New York priest who had been treated for pedophilia and barred from working with children, to seek a promotion in 1986.[1] Pipala was later removed from duty and imprisoned for child molestation.[1]
In 2005, the Archdiocese of Hartford paid $22 million to settle sexual abuse claims brought by 43 people against 14 priests, the majority of cases occurring in the 1960s and 1970s.[2] Mansell considered the settlement "part of a healing process for the persons whose lives have been severely harmed by the evil of sexual abuse and for the Church itself."[2]
In October 2009, dozens of patients and their lawyers filed suit against the diocese of Hartford over claims that they were molested by Dr. George Reardon (not a priest) at St. Francis Hospital over an extended period of several decades. Victims's groups claim that the dioceses shares legal responsibility in the cases of abuse.[3][4]
In 2012, a trial began in the priest sex abuse lawsuit against the archdiocese.[5]
In February 2012, the jury awarded $1 million to a former altar boy, identified as Jacob Doe, who testified that he and a friend were repeatedly sexually assaulted and molested by Rev. Ivan Ferguson.[6]
Similar abuse in suffragant dioceses
There have been similar cases of abuse in the suffragant dioceses of the Hartford metropolis, notably in Bridgeport and Providence, where bishops failed to deal with repeated allegations concerning pedophile priests.[7][8][9]
New policies against abuse
In response to the abuse scandal, the archdiocese of Hartford has adopted a set of policies designed to prevent future cases of abuse and to train diocesan laypeople and clergy to better respond to allegations of child molestation.[10]
See also
- Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
- Essential Norms
- National Review Board
- Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
References
- 1 2 "Special Reports: Catholic Bishops and Sex Abuse". BishopAccountability.org.
- 1 2 Yardley, William (2005-11-01). "Church Settles Abuse Claims In Hartford". The New York Times.
- ↑ Patients allegedly abused by Reardon sue Hartford archdiocese
- ↑ Hartford Archdiocese Sued Over "Wall of Secrets"
- ↑ http://articles.courant.com/2012-01-24/news/hc-priest-abuse-0125-20120124_1_ivan-ferguson-jacob-doe-sexual-abuse
- ↑ http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-supreme-court-priest-sexual-abuse-20150626-story.html
- ↑ Levitz, Jennifer (2002-09-10). "$13.5M settlement ends abuse suits against diocese". Timothy J. Conlon, Esq.
- ↑ Bridgeport sex-abuse files should be released, court rules
- ↑ Suit claims Connecticut diocese conspired to cover up priest sexual abuse
- ↑ Archdiocese of Hartford : Office of Safe Environment
External links
- Audits, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Charter For The Protection Of Children And Young People; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
- National Review Board, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Safe Environment, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Victim Assistance, Child And Youth Protection; US Conference of Catholic Bishops
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