April 13, 2005

Victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse want justice

FOND DU LAC (WI)
The Reporter

By Sharon Roznik
the reporter sroznik@fdlreporter.com

Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy are hopeful that justice will some day prevail after the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the case of “John Doe 67” and his lawsuit against the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

The Supreme Court, in a “Justice on Wheels” appearance in Fond du Lac, heard arguments in a packed courtroom over legal rulings made in the mid-1990s that barred Wisconsin victims of clergy from using the courts to expose and remove predators.

Members of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) said Wisconsin is alone in the nation in presenting such legal obstacles to victims. They gathered along with supporters and their families to state their case during a press conference held in the lobby of the City County Government Center.

Peter Isely, Midwest coordinator for SNAP, spoke of his abuse from ages 13 to 15 at the hands of a Capuchin priest while he was attending St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary.

Posted by kshaw at April 13, 2005 07:05 AM