Rest Up, Your Catholic Priest Abuse Story Fatigue May Soon Be Put to the Test, Nashville Scene, January 7, 2009

Rest Up, Your Catholic Priest Abuse Story Fatigue May Soon Be Put to the Test

Nashville Scene
January 7, 2009

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2009/01/rest_up_your_catholic_priest_a.php

At this point, there's a good chance that any combination of the words "Catholic priest", "sex" and/or "abuse" cause you to immediately turn the page (or scroll down, as it were). No matter how much we empathize with victims, especially kids, it's hard not to feel battered by the sheer volume of news stories that have been published, especially the onslaught since 2003's landmark settlement against the Boston Archdiocese.

So, just a warning, there may be reason to steel yourself for further inundation.

A Memphis law firm is waiting to see if they'll be able to sue the local diocese for knowingly covering up priest abuse. They've appealed with the Supreme Court and will find out, at an undetermined date in the near future, if their case will be heard.

If it is, here's what's at stake...

As it stands, criminal action against former priests is impossible because of the statute of limitations. The alleged abuse, in almost all cases, happened decades ago, and therefore the only retribution for victims are civil suits (a little cash, to put it bluntly).

What the Memphis lawsuit contends, however, is that victims were largely unaware of the diocese's complicity. Former priests like Paul St. Charles (who we wrote about last week) were often moved around or forced into early retirement in an effort to cover their tracks.

Basically, the lawsuit contends that the diocese, including Nashville's, are fair game. If the Supreme Court picks up the case, and agrees, this would lead to a second wave of suits, especially considering it might encourage even more victims to come forward (like another St. Charles accuser did last week, making the count seven in the last year and a half).

The Catholic sex abuse story may have lost the ability to shock, but don't be shocked if, because of lawsuits like these, it finds its way into even more headlines in the near future.