November 09, 2005

Priest apologises after 30yrs

HONOLULU (HI)
News 24

09/11/2005 07:55 - (SA)

Honolulu - A Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old seminarian on Oahu nearly 30 years ago apologised as a lawsuit filed by the now 44-year-old victim was about to go to trial.

After initially denying the allegation, the Reverend Joseph Bukoski III acknowledged harming Eugene Saulibio, who didn't continue on to become a priest.

"I am truly sorry for all you have gone through and suffered as a result of my actions. I should have apologised much sooner," Bukoski said in a letter.

Saulibio accepted the apologies.

"I am relieved that the truth is now out," he said. "He caused a lot of harm to me and my family and a lot of the Catholic faithful, and it's really important for me that everybody start healing," Saulibio said.

Posted by kshaw at November 9, 2005 07:51 AM