Woman claims sexual abuse by a priest in 1963; seeks $1 million settlement

By Linda M. Linonis
Vindicator
December 3, 2014

http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/dec/03/woman-claims-sexual-abuse-by-priest/

YOUNGSTOWN

On behalf of Mary Ann Rivelle Kennedy of East Liverpool, who said she was sexually abused by a priest in November 1963, attorney Mitchell Garabedian of Boston is seeking a $1 million financial settlement from the Diocese of Youngstown.

Kennedy and Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, co-founder and president of Road to Recovery Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves survivors of sexual abuse and their families, conducted a press conference Tuesday at the Hampton Inn Youngstown, 4400 Belmont Ave., Liberty. Garabedian, who made comments by phone, is the lawyer who represented 11 men who received a settlement from the Youngstown Diocese because they were sex-abuse victims of Brother Stephen Baker, now deceased.

Kennedy said she was an eighth-grade student at Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville when she participated in a co-ed field trip to Chicago led by the parish priest at Immaculate Conception. The three girls, with a high-school-age female chaperone, and three boys, with an adult male chaperone who taught at the school, stayed at a Catholic school gym. Kennedy said “in the middle of the night, I felt someone’s hands penetrate me. I was scared to death. I told him to go away and leave me alone.”

Kennedy said the weekend trip was cut short and the group returned home. She also said the priest who had accosted her told her “not to tell anyone.”

Kennedy, who had older parents, did not tell them what happened, but told her older sister with whom she was living. The sister told their two brothers, who went to see the priest, but Kennedy said she didn’t know what happened. The family did not contact police or the diocese then.

Kennedy said the Revs. James Cavanaugh, John and David Letteau came to the school and questioned her. Kennedy said Father Cavanaugh did not find her story credible.

Kennedy contacted the diocese about the abuse in 2002 and 2010.

Kennedy said she is coming forth 51 years after the purported incident because she “wants justice and needs to heal.”

Garabedian said a financial settlement from the diocese would be “a symbol of validation.”

The diocese issued a release in response. “The Diocese treated the allegation expeditiously and compassionately. The Diocese has offered and continues to offer her counseling, spiritual healing and compassionate care.

“The Diocese has treated this allegation with the same compassion and thoroughness that it has demonstrated since the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was issued by the Unites States Catholic Conference of Bishops in 2002.”

To report child abuse or to seek victim assistance, contact Thomas D. Sauline, diocesan administrator of child protection, 330-599-4300.