IOWA
Des Moines Register
By SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
June 9, 2005
The retired bishop of the Sioux City Catholic Diocese has been sued by a Florida man who alleges he was sexually abused as a student at Regina High School in Iowa City.
This is the first time such a high-ranking member of the Iowa Roman Catholic hierarchy has been publicly accused of abuse in connection with the nationwide scandal that has exposed decades of abuse of minors by clergy.
Michael Gould filed a lawsuit in Scott County District Court naming former Sioux City Bishop Lawrence Soens, the Davenport Diocese and the high school. Gould alleges that the abuse began in 1963, when Soens was principal at the high school. Gould alleges that Soens engaged in "repeated harmful, illegal, immoral and sadistic sexual contacts with numerous minor-aged boys."
Timothy S. Bottaro of Sioux City, Soens' attorney, said Soens denied the allegations.
The lawsuit was the first time the Davenport Diocese heard of Gould's claim, according to Rand Wonio, the diocese's attorney. In a written statement, diocese officials expressed disappointment that Gould had not sought mediation.
The Sioux City Diocese has said Soens, 78, "is completely retired and not involved (in church work) in any capacity."
Posted by kshaw at June 9, 2005 06:04 AM