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  SNAP Outraged after Judge Dismisses Lawsuit against Archdiocese of Louisville

By Brooke Katz
WHAS
May 17, 2011

http://www.whas11.com/community/121969344.html

[with video]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11)- The Survivors' Network of Those Abused by Priests, also known as SNAP, says they feel outraged after a judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Louisville.

The lawsuit was brought forward by Gary and Margie Weiter back in January. It claimed Margie was fired from her bookkeeping job at St. Therese Parish because she reported concerns about Father James Schook.

Schook was living at the parish while being investigated by the church on sexual abuse allegations. Gary joined the lawsuit claiming Schook's presence forced him to relive his own abuse at the hands of a different priest at the same parish.

On Monday, the judge dismissed both claims saying Margie was an at-will employee. As for Gary's claims, the judge's opinion and order cited the first and fourteenth amendments, prohibiting the state courts from deciding church matters.

"Where do they draw the line between the separation of church and state. and who is allowed to violate civil laws?" said Tom Weiter, Gary's cousin and also a member of SNAP.

"The court has ruled that it wasn't their jurisdiction how we discipline, and we agree," said Chancellor Brian Reynolds with the Archdiocese of Louisville. He says he is sorry for the stress the Weiters feel, but he says there were no criminal charges filed against Schook.

SNAP and the Weiters claim the Archdiocese's policy should have kept Schook off church property.

The attorney for the Weiters says they may appeal the decision, and SNAP says the fight is not over.

 
 

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