By Craig Smith
Tribune-Review
October 24, 2007
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_534208.html
A Beaver Falls man who claims he was sexually abused by a priest wants the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to spend up to $1 million to build a home for troubled youngsters that he and his wife would operate.
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| Dennis McKeown Photo by Philip G. Pavely |
"I'm a hopeful person. I believe we live in a more hopeful world," said Dennis McKeown, 44, who has discussed the concept with Bishop David A. Zubik at two meetings. A third meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1.
McKeown sued the diocese in March 2004, claiming he was abused by John Hoehl, a priest who was removed from ministry in 1988 and permanently dismissed in 2004.
McKeown and two other plaintiffs recently rejected a portion of a $1.25 million settlement of 32 lawsuits against the diocese to continue pursuing their cases. Instead of taking a cash award that McKeown said could be as little as $4,000, he wants lawmakers to create a window in the state's statute of limitations so their sexual abuse lawsuits can be heard.
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The other plaintiffs who opted out of the settlement were not identified in court documents. Attorney Alan Perer, who brought the 32 lawsuits, said the cash awards to his clients ranged from $10,000 to $70,000.
"It's never been our goal as victims to bash the church. We have predators out there. These men need to be identified," McKeown said during an emotional news conference Tuesday in Cranberry.
McKeown said he and his wife, Candy, have taken care of abused children, and envision a place that would take young adults who are discharged from other facilities and have no place to go.
He thinks his meetings with Zubik hold promise for all victims.
"We're looking to see if there is a need. It may be a community need," said the Rev. Ron Lengwin, diocesan spokesman.
The statute of limitations gives alleged victims of sexual abuse two years after their 18th birthdays to file a lawsuit. But judges are dismissing many cases because the plaintiffs filed their lawsuits as middle-aged adults, claiming abuse occurred when they were children.
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference opposes an extension of the time limits. Gov. Ed Rendell and other lawmakers support it.
A number of measures have been discussed in the Legislature, including whether to create a one-year window during which people could file civil lawsuits against clergy for sexual abuse no matter when it happened. Another bill would extend the time limit by 32 years.
McKeown was a student at Quigley Catholic High School, where Hoehl served as headmaster from 1971 to 1985. McKeown said the alleged abuse occurred between 1973 and 1983 at the priest's home and a cabin along the Youghiogheny River.
Hoehl withdrew from priestly service in 1988 and was dismissed from all priestly obligations in 2004. In his lawsuit, McKeown, who said he is no longer Catholic, sought unspecified damages.
Craig Smith can be reached at csmith@tribweb.com or 412-380-5646.
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