WDSU
October 23, 2009
http://www.wdsu.com/news/21406517/detail.html
[with video]
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Man Involved In Settlement Says Priest Assaulted Him At Church, Neighboring School
NEW ORLEANS --
A local man who is part of a $5 million church sex abuse settlement told WDSU he was raped by a priest inside St. Louis Cathedral.
The claim is the first account of sexual misconduct by religious leaders inside one of the nation's best known and oldest churches.
Bernard DeFranza Sr. became emotional when describing the abuse he endured as a 10-year-old boy. He told I-Team reporter Travers Mackel he was assaulted more than 40 years ago inside the historic French Quarter house of worship.
"When you're raped as a child, you need help from someone and there was no one there for me," DeFranza said.
Now 52 years old and a resident of St. Bernard Parish, he will receive an unspecified sum as part of the settlement announced by the archdiocese this week.
DeFranza broke down while recounting two separate incidents: one at the St. Louis Cathedral School, the other inside the cathedral itself.
"The second rape occurred in the church," he said. "It was really hard. He raped me in the church and nobody was there. I was just there to help out and to help God, to serve him."
Earlier this week, the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Catholic Charities announced they would pay more than $5 million to settle 20 lawsuits, most alleging sexual and physical mistreatment of children decades ago at homes for troubled boys.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond did not name St. Louis Cathedral at the time, but a representative for the Church on Friday said Aymond noted that incidents did occur elsewhere, beyond the children's homes.
Aymond apologized to those involved, saying he hoped the move would bring "some peace and reconciliation" to the victims and others involved.
"It's a sign of our apology. It is accompanied by prayers, and it does give people an opportunity to continue counseling," Aymond said.
But DeFranza called for something more, urging the archbishop to apologize on behalf of the Church during mass at St. Louis Cathedral.
The settlement involved cases in which eight Church representatives -- lay people, nurses and priests -- were accused of improper acts with children. Aymond said none of those individuals are currently in ministry and some are no longer alive.
The settlement funds will come from insurance, interest in investments and unused real estate.
DeFranza said he has maintained his faith, despite the horrors of the past.
"A priest you trust in -- it's just like trusting in God," he said. "No, I haven't lost my faith in God. I pray every night things will change, or maybe I'll just forget one day."
DeFranza's lawyer said the archdiocese may be downplaying how many different places in the city where abuse happened.
Roger Stetter said one of his clients was sexually abused at the St. Anthony of Padua school.
"He was abused by a serial pedophile who abused many children and we think the diocese found pornographic materials in his rectory," Stetter said.
He said another client was raped as a 6-year-old while taking catechism classes at the Immaculate Conception school.
"He was unable to recite the Lord's prayer. The nuns dispatched him to the priest and the priest raped him," said Stetter.
Stetter said he is aware that the sexual abuse did not take place under Aymond's watch but said he believes the archbishop does not understand the scope and depth of the problem that has scarred many young men for life.
"It's always a nightmare," he said. "You dream of it every night. It never goes away. You're looking at news and then it brings back the thoughts and the nightmares. It's not really easy for any children that young to be abused because it's like a dark cloud comes over you and your life is ruined."
He said he hoped that after seeing Defranza come forward with his story of sexual abuse, others would as well.
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