Posted on 05/09/2004 5:02:27 AM PDT by sidewalk
COLONIE - Before an audience of nearly 150 attending the 14th regional Education Forum of the Coaliton of Concerned Catholics in the Albany Diocese Saturday, attorney John Aretakis, outlined his efforts to bring to justice those in the Roman Catholic Church who he said have wronged parishioners.
Aretakis is representing several clients who claim they were sexually abused by priests.
He implied that he has possession of secret documents naming pedophilic priests and said a lawsuit based on federal racketeering charges was in the works.
Aretakis was among several speakers appearing during the day-long event at the Colonie Elks Lodge, most of whom addressed the damage done by priests who have allegedly molested members of their congregation, including children.
During the conference, signs calling for Hubbard's resignation and expressing woe for the situation were omnipresent. Members of the audience exchanged glances as Aretakis recalled his battles with the diocese.
The attorney spoke at length about his years-long battle against the diocese before taking questions from those assembled. Standing at a podium marked "Fidelity" in the hall's meeting room, Aretakis urged the concerned Catholics present to continue their efforts to put public pressure on the church.
These efforts included the dissemination of information about area priests, including the allegedly homosexual priest of a Rensselaer County parish who was installed to further Hubbard's efforts to turn the diocese presbyterate into a "gay fraternity." The Jan. 21 letter, signed only as "A Disgusted Catholic," contains 15 bulleted points attacking Hubbard and the priest, whose identity is being withheld by The Record.
Aretakis claimed the late Rev. John Minkler named 26 pedophile priests in a letter, while noting in the margin, "These are priests who have been sexually involved with Bishop Hubbard."
Hubbard, however, has repeatedly stated that he has adhered to his vows of chastity.
Minkler committed suicide in his Watervliet home in February. When asked if he believed Minkler's death was suspicious, Aretakis recalled being too distraught to speak with many persons during the day of the priest's body was discovered and called the circumstances "hazy" during the following days. He later said he did not think Minkler was murdered.
But according to Aretakis, Minkler had been concerned for his personal safety prior to his death. The attorney claimed other priests are too "petrified" to speak with him.
Aretakis denied that he was responsible for leaking to the media an affidavit allegedly penned by Minkler. The attorney claims the diocese tricked Minkler into thinking he was committing a crime by signing a "false" affidavit, denying responsibility for the 1995 letter naming allegedly homosexual priests.
Aretakis claimed it won't be long before the church is charged under federal organized crime laws for allegedly allowing or facilitating a pattern of abuse.
"My ... lawsuit is continuing today," he said, noting he has reached out to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft among others.
He also touched on the investigation now underway by Mary Jo White, a former federal prosecutor hired by the diocese to investigate the allegations Hubbard engaged in sexual activities.
"Why do we use Mary Jo White for $770 an hour when you guys have me for free," Aretakis quipped, noting Monday's issue of the New York Law Journal contains an article that will "fully detail the Mary Jo White ridiculousness."
"Why have you interviewed 150 people and not given a polygraph (to Hubbard)?" Aretakis asked of White, who was not present. "The polygraph will give you the answer."
In a statement Friday, White put the number of interviews she has conducted at 200. Since her inquest began, White and her team of investigators have been accused of bending rules and using intimidation during interviews related to the Hubbard inquest.
Alice Hogan, formerly of New Jersey, recalled the after-effects of her own alleged molestation and that of her brother at the hands of a priest some decades ago. Saying she knew few facts of the situation faced by the Albany Diocese, Hogan referred to the swirl of allegations against priests accused of molesting children as "the worst crisis in the history of the Catholic Church."
Hogan said she will never reveal the name of her alleged molester out of concern for the rights of half a dozen other alleged victims, not including her brother.
Aretakis has nothing. If he had, he would have produced the evidence, and run to the microphones with it.
He can't "name" pedophiliac priests, without proof, lest he be sued for slander, and RICO charges are a laugh. If they weren't pursued in Boston, or Louisville, Kentucky, by infinitely more competent lawyers, they won't be pursued here.
I don't care what happens to Hubbard, but those who hitch themselves to this shyster's wagon will end up looking like fools.
Just remember, Aretakis has lost every single case he's brought forward, against the diocese.
Outraged bumpus ad summum.
That case was not disputed, which was why the settlement was made.
Cases that Aretakis has brought before judges, that have been contested, have all been thrown out!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.