BishopAccountability.org
	Editorial: Church Responsibility Clear in Abuse Verdict Burlington Free Press May 15, 2008 http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/OPINION/80515010/1006 A Chittenden County jury in a civil case made a clear statement that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is accountable for the sexual abuse by a priest under its authority, even if the events took place a generation ago. The jury on Tuesday awarded $8.7 million — including $7.75 million in punitive damages — to the former altar boy who was repeatedly molested by a priest church authorities knew at the time was a child molester. The verdict should end any sense of denial that might linger about the church's share of the responsibility. Now the circle of pain will grow far wider as the size of the verdict will strain the church's ability to minister to its parishes and continue its very good works of providing for those in need. As Bishop Salvatore Matano said, "I have to be very conscious that the verdict as it stands will have a very serious impact on a rural diocese; a small rural diocese." There is no question that the abuse took place or that then-bishop was aware of at least the accusations against the priest 30 years ago. No criminal charges were filed against the priest, Rev. Edward Paquette, and the statute of limitation had run out by the time the charges resurfaced. The plaintiff, a former Burlington altar boy now 40 years old, has not been identified by the Free Press because the paper does not name victims of sexual crimes without their consent. The case settled on Tuesday is one of 18 similar claims against the church alleging the church bears responsibility because the Vermont diocese hired Paquette in 1972 knowing he had molested altar boys in Indiana and Massachusetts, then kept him on after he abused youths in Rutland in 1974. Paquette was suspended in 1978 after parents of altar boys at Christ the King Church in Burlington complained to then-Bishop John Marshall about the priest. Church lawyers said the diocese should not be sued over something that happened more than 30 years ago, and that the decision to hire Paquette was based on best available advice from church psychologists. The size of the punitive damages — awarded as punishment to the church — shows how seriously the jury of everyday Vermonters felt was the church's lapse in protecting children under its care.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.