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  More Suits against Priests Settled

By Rob Olmstead
Daily Herald [Chicago IL]
May 30, 2007

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/cookstory.asp?id=317815&cc=c&tc=&t=

A leading attorney of legal action against the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Tuesday the settlement of about a dozen suits involving victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

Jeff Anderson announced the church has paid $6.65 million to settle 14 cases against 12 priests. Among those priests involved in the settlements included some from the Northwest suburbs, most notably Vincent McCaffrey, now serving time in a federal penitentiary for possession of child pornography.

One of McCaffrey's victims alone received more than $1 million, Anderson's office said.

"In the end, I'm glad that that part is done," said Keith Laarveld. "By no means is it a cure for anything. I still have my personal demons."

Laarveld was previously known as John Doe 110 but decided to identify himself after he realized that having a face to associate with a case helped him come forward.

"If I can help one other person, it makes a big difference," said Laarveld, 33, of Hoffman Estates. Laarveld is now an operations manager who trains staff for his company.

McCaffrey was one of the more prolific abusers, molesting boys hundreds of times over several years. Laarveld was a parishioner of St. Joseph the Worker in Wheeling.

Other priests involved in settlements announced Tuesday include: Walter Huppenbauer, who was once stationed at St. Thomas of Villanova in Palatine and St. Gilbert in Grayslake; and Robert Mayer, who was once assigned to St. Edna in Arlington Heights and St. Stephen Protomartyr in Des Plaines.

Archdiocese officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

 
 

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