In Priest's Sex-abuse Case, Must Other Priests Testify about What He Said? Judge to Decide.
By Emily Gurnon
Rumors spread among priests in the Twin Cities archdiocese after the Rev. Thomas Stitts died in 1985: He had written a letter to be sent to another priest upon his passing. It "spoke of his personal moral life and implicated several priests in his activities," according to an internal church memo. At least 15 men have accused Stitts of sexually abusing them when they were boys at parishes in Hastings, St. Paul, Edina and Long Lake. Stitts' letter came up in a Ramsey County courtroom Thursday as attorneys debated whether the former Rev. Dick Rice -- the priest who was to have received it -- should be ordered to disclose more information. "This man deserves to ask the question: Did Stitts ever admit to abusing this boy?" attorney Patrick Noaker said, gesturing toward his client, who has sued the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as John Doe 104. Noaker conducted a deposition of Rice on June 18. Rice said he did not know the letter existed until "very recently." He refused to say whether Stitts admitted to abusing John Doe 104, citing part of state law known as the "priest-penitent privilege." Under the law, priests and other clergy must not disclose information shared with them in a confession or "by any person seeking religious or spiritual advice, aid, or comfort or advice ... without the consent of the person." Rice worked as a "spiritual director" at a St. Contact: egurnon@pioneerpress.com
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.