February 23, 2006

More abuse claims filed against church

ALASKA
Fairbanks News-Miner

By MARY BETH SMETZER, Staff Writer

An amended complaint filed in Bethel Superior Court on Tuesday adds eight new complainants alleging they were abused as children in rural communities by a Roman Catholic volunteer or cleric.

Six complainants, James Doe 40-45, name Joseph Lundowski, a former Trappist monk, now deceased, as their abuser. Two men, James Doe 13 and James Doe 41, claim that they also were molested by the Rev. George S. Endal, a Jesuit priest, now deceased.

The latter two complaints add up to three sexual abuse claims against Endal. The first one was filed last May by Jean Doe 1, alleging she was abused by Endal over three years beginning when she was 9 years old.

Defendants named in the amended lawsuit include the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese, the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, and Alaska, the Catholic Archbishop of Anchorage, Anton Smario, and the Franciscan Friars of California.

Posted by kshaw at February 23, 2006 07:45 AM