Orthodox Reform [Dallas TX]
June 14, 2007
http://orthodoxreform.org/cases/fr-nicholas-katinas/fourth-katinas-victim-brings-new-allegations/
New allegations are being made as a fourth victim joins the lawsuit against Fr. Katinas, Holy Trinity, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Referred to as "Doe III", these new charges bring to four the total number of people in the lawsuit who have gone on record to allege sexual abuse at the hands of Fr. Nicholas Katinas.
Doe III claims abuse not as an altar boy, but as a Roman Catholic friend of the family who happened to be having a sleepover at Katinas' house after Halloween trick-or-treating. The suit says of Fr. Katinas:
- His sexual abuse of his sons' boyhood friend, John Doe III, demonstrated he was, indeed, not just a menace but a predator.
The details of this document are truly disturbing. The lawsuit charges that the GOAA acted in a 'conspiracy' to cover the abuses up, and knew Fr. Katinas was a sex abuser but allowed him to continue in a position of power.
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Click here to download a copy of the amended lawsuit to learn more about this case. Due to the highly sensitive and explicit nature of some of the content, we have redacted the document to edit out some of the disturbing descriptions of sexual abuse.
(Note: This content is graphic, disturbing, and reader discretion is advised. Are you a victim? You may not want to read this document. Contact a victim's advocate to learn more about getting help.)
Although the Plaintiff's lawyer has promised to reveal the names of the alleged victims to the defendants attorney's — a common technique in sex abuse cases to avoid revictimization of those suffering from abuse — the Metropolis and Holy Trinity apparently want the victims' names exposed to the general public. What is the motive for this action? The lawsuit says:
- The attempts to intimidate and revictimize victims of sexual abuse continue as is evident in the Metropolis and Holy Trinity's current Motion seeking to force these victims to have their identities made public.
What sort of intimidation is occurring at their parish? The amended lawsuit say:
- Acts in furtherance of this civil conspiracy have continued, as evidenced by the GOAA's failure to this day to defrock Katinas and by retaliating against or menacing parishioners at Holy Trinity including the mother of John Doe II who speak out or otherwise would speak out in support of victims or against their perpetrator.
The lawsuit describes a hostile environment at Holy Trinity. One wonders what acts of "retaliating against or menacing parishioners at Holy Trinity" the Plaintiff's attorney has in mind.
The lawsuit says that DZ made his allegations to the Archdiocese in October 2005. Over seven months later Fr. Katinas was still actively serving in the parish with access to altar boys multiple times a week. Why did the Metropolis and the Archdiocese allow a priest charged of such serious crimes to continue for so many months to endanger the children of Holy Trinity's community? Should they not have suspended him pending investigation as is the common practice in schools and other settings?
- Holy Trinity's, Denver Metropolis's and GOAA's representations that Katinas was not sexually dangerous to young males placed Plaintiffs and other boys in the community in peril.
Douglas Fletcher of Fletcher & Spring, L.L.P. is the law firm representing both Holy Trinity and the Greek Metropolis. James Grau of Grau Koen, P.C., represent the GOAA. Both law firms are based in Dallas.
Metropolitan Isaiah's recent comments are troubling. They called into question if Fr. Katinas is a fallen priest and hinted that he could be exonerated despite clear claims from the Archdiocese to the contrary.
Given the same law firm represents both Holy Trinity and the Metropolis, several questions are raised.
Who is paying for these legal fees?
Are Holy Trinity parishioners footing the bill for the Metropolis?
Are the Hierarchs seeking to reach out pastorally to victims and quietly settle this matter, or do they intend to attempt to exonerate Fr. Katinas at all costs, no matter how high the legal fees their parishioners must pay?
The Greek Orthodox Hierarchs need to explain themselves.
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