Another Lawsuit Filed against Diocese of Duluth

WDIO
May 18, 2015

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S3799952.shtml?cat=10335

An Olivia, Minnesota woman spoke out on Monday, about her alleged abuse at the hands of Father Charles Gormly, who served in the Diocese of Duluth.

"I was molested by Father Gormly. But I was abused by the Diocese, because I believe the nuns knew what was going on, the other priests knew, and that the Diocese must have known," explained Quin Buchtel.

She was a girl at a school in Brainerd when the alleged abuse took place, approximately 1960-1961. It came up again in her life when she attended a school reunion, and she said her classmates discussed what had happened to them.

Buchtel said when she checked in the 90s if anything could be done, she was told the statue of limitations had been reached. But recently, the Minnesota legislature lifted that limitation, so more alleged victims could come forward.

Buchtel has filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Duluth. It alleges her abuse resulted from the Diocese negligence and concealment of information about Gormly's sexually abusive past.

She and her attorneys want the Diocese to release documents related to the alleged perpetrators. The Diocese released a list of clergy with credible claims against them concerning sexual abuse of a young person, and Father Gormly is on the list.

"I felt it was time to come forward. And other people who are abused by priests may also feel more comfortable coming forward," Buchtel added.

Gormly passed away in 1968. The Diocese sent a statement saying he served the Diocese of Duluth for less than a year, at St. Lawrence and St. Raphael parishes in Duluth, and St. Francis in Brainerd. "Sexual misconduct of any kind, especially against a child, and especially by someone in a position of trust and respect like a priest, is and always has been evil and incompatible with our beliefs as Catholics," the statement also said.

The Diocese is urging anyone who has suffered abuse to come forward.

The Jeff Anderson and Associates law firm is handling Buchtel's case, and would also like to hear from anyone else who has allegations of abuse.

Mike Finnegan is the attorney handling the case: 651-227-9990