Posted on 11/07/2006 7:25:58 AM PST by NYer
ALBANY (AP) - A priest who says he was sexually abused as a child by another priest has filed a $2 million lawsuit against a program set up by the Albany Catholic Diocese to investigate such claims.
The Rev. Mark Jaufmann filed the suit last week in U.S. District Court against the Independent Mediation Assistance Program. The lawsuit says the program made Jaufmann feel like the abuse was his fault.
The lawsuit also says the program does not operate independently of the diocese.
Jaufmann, 49, a priest with the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in California, said he was sexually abused as a child by the Rev. Jeremiah Nunan at St. Mary's Church in Hudson. Nunan took a leave of absence in February amid the allegations.
The lawsuit also names retired Court of Appeals Justice Howard Levine, who administers the program, and the New York State Dispute Resolution Association as defendants.
"The suit is entirely without merit," Levine said.
Point of order: The plaintiff (whatever the merits of his complaint) is NOT a Catholic Priest.
There are about 4 churches left in the Mohawk Valley,(Hubbard already closed about 10 of them) now he wants to close more. http://uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061107/NEWS/611070328/1001
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