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	Nuns, Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse at Sisseton Orphanage Argus Leader August 5, 2010 http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100805/UPDATES/100805033/1052/OPINION01 Two dozen people are suing the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, alleging widespread sexual abuse at a Sisseton orphanage for Native Americans. Their claims are outlined in a newly filed lawsuit in Minnehaha County Circuit Court. The 58-page complaint includes allegations of sexual abuse and beatings at the hands of nuns as well as priests. The plaintiffs were children at the Tekakwitha Orphanage, and they say they were abused in the 1940s through 1970s when they were as young as 4 years old. The diocese is being sued because it oversees church matters in Eastern South Dakota, a region which includes the orphanage. Also named as defendants are the Milwaukee-based Sisters of the Divine Savior, a group of nuns; and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Washington, D.C.-based group of Catholic brothers and priests. More than a dozen priests and nuns – some of whom are identified only by first names – are also named as defendants. “Certainly our sisters are opposed to the sexual abuse of anyone, and they are praying for all involved in this case,” said Kathie Daily, a spokeswoman for the Sisters of the Divine Savior. “Because we don’t have a copy of the complaint we can not comment any further.” “For many years the Diocese has been publicly reaching out to anyone harmed by abuse,” said Jerry Klein, a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. “We certainly remain open to that, wanting to help where we can.” For more on this story, see Friday's Argus Leader.
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