LEXINGTON (KY)
The Kentucky Post
Associated Press
LEXINGTON - Former Covington Bishop Richard H. Ackerman was warned that a Lexington priest was a pedophile who preyed on boys, but the bishop did nothing to warn parishioners that they had a predator in their midst, according to court records that were unsealed last week.
The internal court records, hidden from view for decades, were made public Friday. The Lexington Herald-Leader and one of the Rev. John B. Modica's alleged victims, Sam Greywolf of Lexington, had asked Fayette County Circuit Judge Mary Noble to unseal the records.
The diocese said it would no longer object to unsealing them. Modica, who is now retired and lives in Northern Kentucky, declined to comment. Ackerman died in 1992.
The Covington diocese, which included Lexington until 1988, has agreed to settle a separate class-action lawsuit for up to $85 million with sexual abuse victims. More than 350 people are seeking restitution. The diocese settled many other claims previously.