MIAMI (FL)
Renew America
Matt C. Abbott
August 29, 2005
A May 2005 lawsuit filed on behalf of the Rev. Andrew Dowgiert against the Archdiocese of Miami was dismissed on August 25. The suit alleges that Dowgiert was terminated for complaining to the archdiocese about sexual and financial improprieties allegedly committed by certain archdiocesan clergy.
To read the text of the lawsuit, click on the following link: http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/abbott/050521.
Sharon Bourassa, an attorney representing Dowgiert, sent the following e-mail on August 29 to the priest's supporters (slightly edited):
"At the hearing ... the court dismissed Fr. Dowgiert's case against the archdiocese. The court said that it did not want to get involved in a Church dispute. This means that Fr. Dowgiert will have to make the decision to appeal the lower court's ruling.