July 01, 2005

Sex abuse lawsuit against diocese settled

SIOUX CITY (IA)
Sioux City Journal

By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer

The last sexual abuse lawsuit involving a named victim against the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City and a former priest has been settled.

Jan McHale's case was dismissed Wednesday from Woodbury County District Court after the sides reached a confidential settlement agreement.

It was the 22nd lawsuit the diocese has settled. Other claims have been resolved before suits were filed. A judge dismissed another lawsuit against the diocese last week, ruling that the accuser had not filed the suit before the statute of limitations expired.

Three suits involving victims referred to as John Doe remain pending against the diocese. No trial dates have been set.

McHale filed suit in April, claiming the Rev. George McFadden had sexual contact with her in the 1960s while he was the pastor of Sioux City's St. Francis of Assisi Church, which is now closed. McHale was under age 10 at the time of the abuse, which occurred on church property when she was asked to perform tasks in the rectory and church.

Posted by kshaw at July 1, 2005 07:19 AM