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	Man Wants Group Home for Victims of Priest Abuse By Gary Rotstein Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 24, 2007 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07297/827899-85.stm A Beaver County man who dropped out of a lawsuit over sexual abuse by priests is trying to persuade the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to provide funding for a group home for young victims. Dennis McKeown, 44, of North Sewickley, told reporters yesterday he was encouraged about the prospects after two meetings with Bishop David A. Zubik. The bishop has made no commitment, however, to fund his plan, Mr. McKeown acknowledged. Mr. McKeown was originally part of a lawsuit filed against the diocese by victims, but dropped out from dissatisfaction with a settlement in which $1.25 million is to be paid out to 32 people abused by 17 priests between the 1950s and 1994. Mr. McKeown said that during 1979-82, he was abused while a student at Quigley High School by its principal, the former Rev. Jack Hoehl. Mr. Hoehl resigned from the priesthood in 1988 under pressure from then-Bishop Donald Wuerl. Mr. McKeown said he and his wife, Candy, ran a group home on the campus of the George Junior Republic school in 2002. Setting up a new home for abuse victims is a better way of using diocesan funds to recognize past misconduct by priests, he said, than is the $1.25 million payout it agreed to in the settlement. Mr. McKeown estimated it could cost $1 million to establish a live-in residence, which would be geared to older youths who have aged out of children's residential programs but may not have a healthy option of returning to families. He said he has another meeting planned next month with diocesan officials to discuss his proposal. The Rev. Ronald Lengwin, diocesan spokesman, said that in their meetings with Mr. McKeown, diocesan officials told him about a similar faith-based agency in McKeesport that helps troubled children and their families. Father Lengwin said Mr. McKeown was invited to visit Auberle and examine its programs. After that visit, Father Lengwin said, Mr. McKeown and diocesan officials plan to have another meeting.
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