Victims in Catholic Diocese Sex Abuse Settlement Share Their Stories

By Syed Shabbir
KSHB
October 16, 2014

http://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/victims-in-catholic-diocese-sex-abuse-settlement-share-their-story

[with video]

- Just outside the Catholic Diocese Center in downtown Kansas City, Mo., a half circle of men formed Thursday afternoon to share their stories of how they were sexually abused as children by priests.

Their demonstration comes just two days after the Diocese agreed to pay $9.95 million to settle 32 cases of abuse involving 13 local priests.

Among the cases was Phillip Ricottas'.

"Little by little the grooming started, and you find yourself at that age in places you don't want to be," Pisciotta said. "And there's no way out."

Pisciotta said his abuse happened in 1962 and 1963 at St. Bernadette's Parish in Raytown, Mo. He was 12 at the time and didn't speak of it until 40 years later.

"You find creative ways to block it," Pisciotta said. "But it's always there."

Michael Hunter carried around a similar secret for 25 years before finally telling his younger brother.

"At that time, he told me that he had suffered sexual abuse by the same priest," Hunter said.

Hunter's case was one of 46 settled in 2008 when the Diocese ended up paying $10 million.

On their own, these men felt like they didn't have a voice, but together with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and attorney Rebecca Randles, they finally received their overdue justice.

"It let me receive the dignity that I deserve for what had happened to me," Pisciotta said.

For Pisciotta, it was never about the money. In fact, he's donating most of his settlement back to SNAP.

Instead, he and Hunter and dozens of other victims are sharing their stories in hopes of preventing future abuse.

"I don't think we'll ever be able to stop pedophilia," Hunter said. "But when an institution covers it up and hides it, that's a real sin."

Pisciotta hopes those supporting the Catholic Church will push for change.

"I just call upon the pew-sitting Catholics to recognize that they control the church, and they have a voice," Pisciotta said.

The Diocese released a statement saying in part: "The diocese sincerely hopes that this settlement can bring about some closure to those hurt by abuse in the past."