Brothers File Lawsuit against Green Bay Diocese: Claim Church Covered up Father Feeney Abuse , by Mike Conroy, NBC 26

Brothers File Lawsuit against Green Bay Diocese
Brothers Claim Church Covered up Father Feeney Abuse

By Mike Conroy
NBC 26 - WGBA-TV
January 4, 2008

http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/13014357.html

In the late 1970's John Patrick Feeney, now stripped of his priestly duties, molested Todd and Troy Merryfield. They say it's because the diocese *repeatedly covered-up his sexual indiscretions.

Now they want justice in the form of a lawsuit. The brothers have filed suit against the Green Bay Diocese claiming the church let them down.

After uncovering one confidential document after another, the Merryfield brothers say the Green Bay Diocese knew Feeney had a history of sexual indiscretions involving kids. The brothers claim one diocese official suggested Feeney be reassigned to an area where his reputation was not well known.

But a diocesan spokesperson tells NBC26 that's simply not true. And plan to prove it in court. Diocesan leaders now have 45-days to respond to the lawsuit.