By Jillian Petrus
Kcrg
June 26, 2011
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Archbishop-of-Dubuque-Involved-in-Sexual-Abuse-Lawsuit-124544819.html
[Petition Filed Against Conception Abbey]
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| Archbishop Jerome Hanus reads a statement Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, during a news conference in Dubuque, Iowa. According to church officials, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque has agreed to pay $5 million to settle 20 cases of sexual abuse alleged against nine priests over the past five decades and also agreed to publish the names of the nine accused priests, give each victim the chance to meet privately with Hanus and the opportunity to speak about their ordeal in their home parish. |
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The current Archbishop of Dubuque has released a statement to KCRG-TV9 regarding a sexual abuse lawsuit in which he is mentioned.
This stems from the time Archbishop Jerome Hanus {hahn-uss} was an Abbot in Missouri. Hanus is not charged in the lawsuit.
The suit accuses the Abbey where Hanus served of covering up abuse by Father Bede Parry.
In the statement, Hanus tells TV9:
"A lawsuit has been filed that makes several claims about me while I served as Abbot of Conception Abbey. I await the opportunity to respond to these claims according to the system of justice in our country."
In the alleged 1987 incident, the suit says the victim came to Hanus about the abuse.
Hanus then told the alleged victim's parents, Father Parry had a "mental breakdown," all the while knowing of past abuse incidents involving Parry.
The alleged victim is suing the Abbey for an undisclosed amount.
The Dubuque Archbishop Hanus is not charged in the lawsuit.
We have attached the lawsuit petition in its entirety. You can read it by clicking the link in the Related Content section.
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