FLORIDA
Orlando Sentinel
By Jeff Kunerth, Staff writer
1:01 p.m. EDT, October 2, 2013
A lawsuit filed this week against the Catholic Diocese of Orlando alleges that the diocese covered up the sexual abuse of an altar boy by a Catholic priest serving in Sanford.
The lawsuit contends Father William Authenreith sexually molested a 14-year-old altar boy at All Souls Church in Sanford between 1983 and 1984. The suit alleges that the diocese, after learning of the molestation, transferred Authenreith to a parish in Mount Dora, but did nothing to punish the priest.
“Indeed, Father Authenreith climbed the ladder of the Diocese of Orlando’s hierarchy while simultaneously being transferred between and among parishes to prevent parishioners from learning of Father Authenreith’s pattern of abuse,” said the suit filed Monday by Jeff Herman, a Boca Raton attorney who represents sexual abuse victims.
In response, the diocese said it has not yet been served with the lawsuit, but Chancellor for Administration Carol Brinati issued this statement: “We are saddened at the allegation of abuse which occurred more than twenty-five years ago and pray for this person and those who have been victims of acts of abuse by any person. We pray that the healing process may begin for each one of them.”
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