2 Brothers File Lawsuits against Maine Catholic Church Alleging It Hid Priest Sexual Abuse

The Republic
May 21, 2013

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/45ecbfd836864f418b8acfc2c1de79d7/ME--Church-Abuse-Maine

PORTLAND, Maine — Two brothers are suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, saying church officials knew a priest was sexually abusing them and other children but failed to stop it.

In complaints in Cumberland County Superior Court, Jeffrey and Frederick Conroy say the late Father James Vallely abused them from approximately 1976 through approximately 1979, when they were altar boys at St. Michael's Parish in South Berwick.

Frederick Conroy is now 46 and lives in Massachusetts. Jeffrey Conroy is 45 and lives in Texas.

The suits seek unspecified damages on claims including fraudulent concealment, infliction of emotional distress and negligent supervision.

The diocese announced in 2005 that Vallely was among nine dead priests against whom child sexual abuse allegations had been validated.

A spokesman said the diocese doesn't comment on ongoing litigation.