Connecticut
Archdiocese reaches $22 million abuse settlement...
"O My children, speak to your
pastors, speak to the bishops, the hierarchy, and let them know that their
Mother is weeping for them. They do not know what they are doing, or they do not
care of the consequences because they have lost their faith and no longer have
they received graces to keep them from the abyss. I repeat again: man shall be
left to himself, because the Spirit will not remain within him if he becomes a
purveyor of such evil and sin as the corruption of the children. Pornography and
other--all vile natures of mankind--this hits, My children, to the very core of
children on earth, their being. We place upon the parents a far greater measure
and responsibility toward their children than We can place on the schools or the
government. No, parents must now guard their children or they will weep when it
is too late." - Our Lady of the Roses, May 28, 1983
Newsmax reported on
November 1, 2005:
The Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Hartford agreed to pay $22 million to 43 people who say they
were sexually abused by priests, the archdiocese and a lawyer representing
victims said Monday.
The alleged abuse
dated back as far as the 1960s and involved 14 priests or retired priests,
said attorney Jason Tremont, who was involved in a similar settlement in
Bridgeport two years ago. The settlement was the result of two years of
talks mediated by U.S. Magistrate Judge William Garfinkel in Bridgeport.
"While I am
grateful that the diocese has offered this compensation, I want to make it
perfectly clear that no amount of money can replace what was taken from me
at the hands of a child molester who wore a Roman collar and called himself
'Father,"' said James Hackett, who said he was molested in 1976 when he was
an altar boy and middle school student at Blessed Sacrament Parish in
Hamden.
The settlement
payments will come from long-term savings and insurance policies, the
archdiocese said. Money donated during annual church collections will not be
used.
The archdiocese
said six of the accused priests are dead and four are retired. Three others
are no longer active in ministry. One remains active, and a sexual abuse
review panel determined allegations against him were not credible, the
diocese said.
"The archbishop
wants to begin the healing process for those whose lives have been seriously
harmed by sexual abuse, and for the church itself," said John Gatzak, a
spokesman for the archdiocese. "We must acknowledge and deal with what has
been done with justice and compassion."
The settlement
stemmed from five lawsuits filed against three priests just before the
statute of limitations expired. Under Connecticut law, victims have until
their 48th birthdays to bring claims in court.
Tremont said most
of the alleged abuse occurred between 1968 and 1991, when John Francis
Whealon was the Hartford archbishop. Tremont contends that in 1983, a group
of parents complained to Whealon that a priest was abusing their children
and were threatened with legal action. Whealon died in 1991.
Tremont also
represented some of the 40 people to whom the Bridgeport Diocese paid $21
million to settle abuse claims in 2003.
At the time, the
payout was described as the third-biggest settlement by a U.S. diocese since
the scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic Church broke in Boston in 2002.
Other large settlements have been announced since then.
"I will not
stand for My priests who condone homosexuality and allow it in My priesthood! I
will not stand for My priests who allow the murder of the unborn with their
permissiveness! I will not stand by and allow My priesthood to be destroyed!"
- Jesus, June 18, 1982
Clear Vatican statement
against ordaining homosexuals: "a person who is homosexual or has homosexual
tendencies is not, therefore, suitable to receive the sacrament of sacred
orders." https://www.tldm.org/News5/Estevez.htm
"My children, My little humble children, I appeal to you as your Mother,
go forward on foot, knock on the doors; bring the light to your brothers and
sisters. For those who have been given great grace, much is expected of them."
- Our Lady of the Roses, May 26, 1976
"As disciples of the latter days, My children, much shall be asked of you,
but I assure you: all that you give in faith and charity shall be returned to
you threefold."- Jesus, June 1, 1978
We
encourage everyone to print or email copies of this web page to all the Bishops
and all the clergy. Also, email or send this web page to the news media and as
many people as possible.
"O My children, speak to your
pastors, speak to the bishops, the hierarchy, and let them know that their
Mother is weeping for them. They do not know what they are doing, or they do not
care of the consequences because they have lost their faith and no longer have
they received graces to keep them from the abyss. I repeat again: man shall be
left to himself, because the Spirit will not remain within him if he becomes a
purveyor of such evil and sin as the corruption of the children. Pornography and
other--all vile natures of mankind--this hits, My children, to the very core of
children on earth, their being. We place upon the parents a far greater measure
and responsibility toward their children than We can place on the schools or the
government. No, parents must now guard their children or they will weep when it
is too late." - Our Lady of the Roses, May 28, 1983
