The Cathnews
June 21, 2011
http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/06/21/priest-sues-parishioner/
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A Canada-based priest has filed a defamation suit against a member of his former parish in Goa following a series of what he called "false sexual assault allegations" stemming from incidents in 2004.
Father Newton Rodrigues told the Calgary Herald on June 16 that he is seeking US$600,000 in damages from Aires Rodrigues (no relation), a Goa-based lawyer.
Father Newton, currently pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Calgary, charged in his suit that the lawyer published online materials and sent emails to Catholic officials in 90 parishes in Calgary accusing him of participating in a cover-up of a molestation case.
The suit further demands an immediate stop to the online charges and a published apology wherever the alleged defamatory statements have appeared.
The lawyer currently faces criminal charges for trespassing on a church meeting in Goa and confronting Father Newton in 2004, at which time he led a group of parishioners in accusing him of molesting a 13-year-old girl.
Father Newton's suit denies all previous and current accusations of sexual abuse, stating that "the girl and the girl's mother filed numerous handwritten statements with police indicating that the allegations were false."
The suit added that the victim's parents "subsequently filed sworn evidence with a Goan court, attesting that the allegations were false."
A court in Ribandar dropped the assault charge but proceeded with charges of rioting and disturbance related to the 2004 confrontation with Rodrigues. An arrest warrant was issued earlier this month for non-appearance in the case.
Rodrigues told the Calgary Herald that he would respond appropriately to the defamation suit once he received official notice from the Calgary court.
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