BishopAccountability.org
	Victim Talks about Crime By April Scheinoha TRF Times & Northern Watch September 9, 2011 http://www.trftimes.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9487:victim-talks-about-crime-&catid=13:front The Diocese of Crookston has reached a $750,000 settlement with a Thief River Falls woman who accused her parish priest of sexually abusing her in 2004. Megan Peterson, 21, spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday, Sept. 6 during a news conference at her attorney’s office in St. Paul. Video of the news conference is on the website of her attorney, Jeff Anderson. A link to the video can be found on The Times’ Facebook page (www.facebook.com/trftimes). “I’m here today to speak my truth and to protect kids. It’s been a struggle and a journey – this civil suit and going through the trauma,” said Peterson. “I think it’s really important that people are aware that this is still happening and that he is still in ministry. Kids are still at risk, and I think it’s important that we take action.” Father Joseph Jeyapaul, now 56, served Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush. He served the church from about October 2004 until September 2005. He is accused of sexually assaulting Peterson at the church and rectory multiple times in 2004. Former Bishop Victor Balke stated in a deposition that he reported two credible sexual abuse allegations involving Jeyapaul to the Vatican, Anderson said. One allegation involved Peterson, who had hoped to become a nun. The other allegation involved another girl, who remains anonymous. Jeyapaul hasn’t been charged criminally for the allegation involving the second girl. Jeyapaul is still in the ministry and works with children in Tamil Nadu, India, Anderson said. As part of the settlement, the Diocese of Crookston denied liability. It released a statement regarding the settlement. “The Diocese of Crookston regrets any harm that may have come to any person due to the actions of Fr. Jeyapaul, and the hardships the parishes have endured during this difficult time. The Safe Environment program in the Diocese of Crookston mandates that every volunteer, employee or clergy who serves the church is subject to a criminal background check and safe environment training.” After the allegation was reported to authorities, Peterson sued the Diocese of Crookston. The case was settled shortly before it was scheduled to go to trial about two weeks ago in Polk County District Court in Crookston. Besides the monetary portion of the settlement, Anderson said the diocese agreed to feature Jeyapaul’s picture on its website and encourage victims to come forward. It also agreed to place Jeyapaul’s picture in parish bulletins. The diocese also agreed to tell the Diocese of Ootacamund in India about the settlement and state its concerns about Jeyapaul’s work there. After Peterson was allegedly sexually abused, Anderson said his client notified the diocese and someone hung up on her. Later, Peterson told a Greenbush-Middle River High School guidance counselor, who reported it to authorities in October 2006. The following March, Jeyapaul was charged in Roseau County District Court with two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct for abusing Peterson. Criminal court documents indicate that Peterson was praying after school in fall 2004, when Jeyapaul threatened to kill her family if she didn’t go to the rectory. He allegedly touched her inappropriately and forced her to perform oral sex on him. He told her that she was a bad person and that she should kill herself. If she didn’t, he allegedly said he would kill her or have someone else do it. Jeyapaul has denied the allegations. With the help of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Roseau County Attorney’s Office is trying to extradite him for the criminal charges here. After publicizing that Jeyapaul continued to work with children in India, Anderson received a letter from the Christian Rights Movement in India. Former Roseau County Attorney Lisa Hanson also received the letter, signed by 1,182 people. The letter urged her and Anderson to withdraw the charges against Jeyapaul. Anderson said the letter claimed Jeyapaul was innocent and wrongfully accused. During the news conference, Peterson was visibly upset. At one point, she walked off camera and returned a short time later. Peterson said, “I’m here to protect kids today, and I’m here as part of my healing process also.” Peterson has undergone therapy to cope with the abuse. When she first became Anderson’s client four years ago, she didn’t want to live and was in and out of the hospital. “Things have gotten way better. I’m now willing and wanting to live life and help other people, and, you know, it’s not dark anymore,” Peterson said. This winter, Peterson plans to enroll at Winona State University and hopes to eventually work in child protection and advocacy.
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