BishopAccountability.org
	Punitive Damages Allowed against Archdiocese By Mary O'Keefe Valley Sun [LA Canada CA] June 7, 2007 http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2007/06/07/news/lnws-badpriest0607.txt In a first of its kind ruling, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has handed down a decision that four people who allege sex abuse by a former associate pastor at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada will be allowed to seek punitive damages against the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Judge Haley J. Fomholz ruled May 23 that punitive damages can be sought against the Archdiocese for failing to protect the four from the accused predator. The case concerns Father Lynn Caffoe, 61, who has been accused of molesting children from 1975 to 1991. He served as associate pastor at St. Bede from July 1982 to September 1986. Before he arrived at St. Bede there was a complaint on record, made by parents of altar boys who said there had been a "boundary violation" while he served at St. Callistus in Garden Grove. While at St. Bede there was another complaint against Caffoe of boundary violation, made by a nun. The complaints of sexual misconduct continued. According to Archdiocese records, the last complaint was recorded in 2002, when a male reported that Caffoe sexually abused him from 1968 to 1972. Judge Fromholz cited in his ruling the fact that Cardinal Roger Mahony has been accused of misrepresenting a videotape discovered in Caffoe's bedroom in 1992 depicting young boys. Fromholz also noted at least six other priests complained of Caffoe's familiarity with children over the course of his ministry. More than 500 people have alleged abuse by priests in the Archdiocese and many have accused church officials of knowing about abuse but not taking action. The May 23 ruling could open the door for more punitive damages to be sought, which could result in a very large payout by the Archdiocese. According to church spokesman Tod Tamberg, the church acknowledges mistakes were made in the past. "There has been a misconception that the church has done nothing [when a priest had been accused of sexual abuse] until 2002," Tamberg said in a telephone interview. Tamberg said that when there was a complaint, the priest in question was required to begin therapy. Caffoe began therapy in May 1991. "We can say that we did do things when we knew there was a danger even back in 1985," Tamberg said. The problem was that previously the church was not as educated on the mind of a pedophile as it is today. A pedophile cannot be cured and then sent back into the same situation, Tamberg said. "We were unaware of the lengths they will go to in concealing their abuse," Tamberg said. "They lied to everyone, even their bishops." Now, according to Tamberg, the church fully understands the addictive personality of a sexual molester. The church's policy is one strike and a priest is out. Mahony now meets on a regular basis with victims of abuse, Tamberg said, and the Archdiocese encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward. Also, if a priest is accused and found guilty of sexual abuse today, the Archdiocese asks the pope to revoke his ordination. "They can never work as priests again," Tamberg said. The church also attempts to track the priests that have left the priesthood due to accusations. "The guys who are leaving now, we continue to pay for their therapy," Tamberg said. They attempt to stay in contact with those who agree. "Most of them just disappear." Caffoe's whereabouts are unknown, Tamberg said.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.