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	Abuse Victim Testifies against Diocese Priest Sex Abuse Trial in Full Swing WPTZ October 1, 2009 http://www.wptz.com/news/21176037/detail.html [with video] BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington took the stand on day three of the trial. Abuse Victim Testifies Against Diocese He testified about being abused and described how Father Edward Paquette would fondle him more than 30 years ago inside a Burlington church. "We would disrobe out of our altar boy garments and ... from what I recall he would come up and grab me from behind," said the plaintiff. The 44-year-old father told the jury that his life became consumed by alcohol and drugs and his marriage ended in divorce. But during cross-examination, he admitted that he didn't seek professional help for the abuse until he saw Paquette's name in the headlines. "I can remember one time or maybe more than once he was trying to tell me this is OK, don't worry about it," said the plaintiff. The diocese isn't denying that Paquette molested the plaintiff but says it shouldn't be held responsible for decisions that were made about Paquette decades ago. This case is one in a long line of civil lawsuits against the Diocese. The plaintiff is seeking damages in the millions but told the jury this case isn't about money.
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