May 12, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Senators from New York gathered on Friday to discuss extending the time for victims to file a claim for sexual abuse. The original deadline was set to expire on August 14, 2020 but now, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, legislators have agreed to extend it to January 14, 2021; giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse an additional five months to file a claim. The senate felt that since court services have been significantly reduced due to the virus, it was only fair to extend the time for these victims.
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North Carolina Diocese publishes list of credibly accused clergy
May 21, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
North Carolina diocese publishes list of credibly accused clergy. The hired independent investigators to review files of over 1600 church personnel which began over a year prior to the release.
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School Priest Suspended in Iowa for Sexual Abuse
May 19, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
An investigation is underway by the Diocese of Des Moines regarding allegations of sexual misconduct by Father Robert L Grant better known as “Father Bud” by a student at the St Alberts High School in Council Bluffs. The alleged abuse took place back in the early 1990’s. Due to Iowa law, criminal actions cannot be taken because of Iowa’s statute of limitation which requires a victim to report the abuse within 10 – 15 years after the individual turns 18 (depending on the circumstances.)
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Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits – Delays Expected in Buffalo
May 18, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Victims of clergy sexual abuse with cases against the Diocese of Buffalo should expect delays in compensation awards. In a January ruling by Judge Deborah A. Chimes, Supreme Court of Erie Country, she noted the particular victim (plaintiff) should receive damages for abuse suffered. However there is a catch causing a delay in getting compensation from the Diocese of Buffalo. The Diocese of Buffalo filed for bankruptcy. This filing effectively paused all lawsuits and legal proceedings against the dioceses.
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Buffalo Diocese Becomes 2nd New York Diocese to File for Bankruptcy
May 13, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In February of 2020, the Diocese of Buffalo became the second Diocese in New York state to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, after the first filing by the Diocese of Rochester in September of 2019. The church sites the new law passed by New York state’s legislators, dubbed the Child Victims Act, as the reason for bankruptcy filings.
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New York’s Child Victims Act Extended Due To Coronavirus
May 12, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Senators from New York gathered on Friday to discuss extending the time for victims to file a claim for sexual abuse. The original deadline was set to expire on August 14, 2020 but now, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, legislators have agreed to extend it to January 14, 2021; giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse an additional five months to file a claim. The senate felt that since court services have been significantly reduced due to the virus, it was only fair to extend the time for these victims.
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Attorney General’s Report Sparks Mixed Feelings in Those Who Were Sexually Abused as Children by Catholic Priests
May 12, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Colorado Attorney General’s investigation into child sex abuse within the Catholic Dioceses of Colorado led to a report listing 43 priests accused of sexually abusing children. One priest in particular, Monsignor Lawrence St. Peter, is suspected to have used his access, given his high ranking, to destroy his own personnel files which likely contained a pattern of sexual abuse against minors. According to the report which cited “strong circumstantial evidence” that those who came in contact with St. Peter during his time in Denver knew of his ‘alcohol problems’ and ‘homosexuality problems’ yet there were no records reflecting those issues in the Denver Archdiocese file.
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Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report Released for Abused Survivors of the Catholic Church
May 5, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
It has been over a year since a Pennsylvania grand jury released the names of 300 Pennsylvania priests accused of sexual abuse. Releasing those names may have helped garner some much-needed momentum for both victims and lawmakers.
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Arizona Law Extends Deadline for Filing Sexual Abuse Cases
May 5, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
An Arizona state law opening a window for those whose sexual abuse claims may have been time barred has been extended to the end of this year. Two victims who claim they were abused by Catholic priests over 40 years ago used this law to file lawsuits against their church and the Diocese of Phoenix.
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