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	Victim in Seattle Priest Abuse Trial Settles Case By Eric Wilkinson KING 5 May 18, 2009 http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_051809WAB-priest-sexual-abuse-SW.16c3f7cc.html [with video] SEATTLE - One of two men suing the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese over sexual abuse by a priest has agreed to a mid-trial settlement. The other is continuing to press his claims at the trial in King County Superior Court. "It's in the best interest of everyone that these be settled for a fair and reasonable amount. We're going to continue with the trial but we're pleased that they did accept the settlement," said Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni. Retired Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen took the stand on Monday. He was in charge of the Seattle diocese when Father Patrick O'Donnell came to Seattle from Spokane. O'Donnell has admitted to molesting at least 30 children. He said there are so many he can't remember them all. At issue is whether Seattle church officials knew about his history when he transferred to Seattle from Spokane in the late 1970s. The 87-year-old Hunthausen said repeatedly that he did not recall any conversations about O'Donnell being a danger to children, but accepted responsibility for the priest's move to Seattle. "I assumed this man was in good standing. He had been recommended by a by a bishop friend who I would never doubt. I find it hard to acknowledge that now. It hurts me," he said. Hunthausen was very close friends with O'Donnell's bishop in Spokane. Church documents unveiled in court Monday show the troubled priest's transfer was all but rubber stamped, with very little discussion, violating the diocese's own policies. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say it's hard to believe Hunthausen never had a conversation with his longtime friend about O'Donnell, who later admitted to molesting at least 30 children. "Your best friend sent a pedophile to your diocese without telling you anything. Is that correct?" an attorney for the plaintiffs asked Hunthausen. "That's what it amounts to," Hunthausen replied. Attorneys for the victims are trying to prove a pattern of intentional cover up by the diocese. But church officials say they were working under the assumption at the time that pedophilia was a treatable disorder. "You have a priest and he's cut loose, he's able to go around the streets. Our thought was isn't it better to know where he is to monitor him," said Fr. Jack Walmesley, Seattle Diocese Terms of the settlement with the third victim have not been released. On Tuesday the lone remaining plaintiff is expected to take the stand. O'Donnell testified last week and apologized for what he had done. Survivor group issues statement Barbara Blaine of Chicago, the national president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, issued a statement, saying, "We hope this settlement brings some measure of comfort and closure to this one victim. At the same time, however, we are grateful that the cover ups by the Seattle Catholic hierarchy will still be exposed through the trial. Every survivor is different and heals in different ways. We appreciate every single man, woman and child who summons up the courage to expose predators through legal action. Collectively, the efforts of thousands of brave but wounded victims are gradually making the church a safer place. We hope that every single person who saw, suspected or suffered O'Donnell's crimes will come forward, get help, call police, start healing and protect others. When victims and witnesses speak up, at least there's a chance for healing, prevention and justice. When victims and witnesses stay silent, however, nothing changes and kids get hurt and predators walk free."
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