SOUTH DAKOTA
SNAP Wisconsin
Statement by John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin Director
CONTACT: 414.336.8575.
It is being reported today that the Supreme Court of South Dakota has decided to allow a child sexual assault lawsuit involving the Priests of the Sacred Heart to move forward. The suit was filed on behalf of eight Native American children who report that they were sexually assaulted as children at St. Joseph’s Indian Mission School. The Priests of the Sacred Heart had attempted to have the case dismissed claiming the plaintiffs had not followed proper process serving procedures.
St. Joseph’s Indian Mission School in South Dakota is operated by the Priests of the Sacred Heart, a religious order of priests and brothers based in Hales Corners Wisconsin. The order operates Sacred Heart School of Theology, the largest seminary in the United States that trains men over the age of 30 for the priesthood.
The lawsuit names the Priests of the Sacred Heart and members of their community including Father William Pitcavage, Father Thomas Lind, and Brother Matthew Miles as defendants. Pitcavage, who had been elected the Order’s Vice Provincial, and Lind were both removed from ministry following reports of sexual assault at the boarding school.
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