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Judge grants clergy abuse plaintiffs 2 more months to serve papers

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
February 13, 2018

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/02/13/u-s-district-court-judge-frances-tydingco-gatewood-grants-clergy-abuse-plaintiffs-2-more-months-serv/331491002/

Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood is shown in this file photo.

[with video]

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood granted seven clergy sex-abuse accusers up to early April to serve legal documents to three defendants in their lawsuits.

This includes the Capuchin Franciscans and the Congregation of Holy Cross, which are both in Italy, and former Saint Anthony Catholic School teacher Ray Caluag in the Philippines.

"The court finds good cause for and finds defendants will not be prejudiced by the requested extensions," the judge wrote, granting a two-month extension that takes effect from the date of her Feb. 12 order.

Some of the accusers also needed more time to find someone to translate the summons and verified complaints from English to Italian.

In their separate filings, the plaintiffs, represented by attorney Delia Lujan Wolff, said they don't know if the defendants are aware they are being sued, but noted the cases have been publicized in the media and are known to the public.

More than 155 clergy sex abuse lawsuits have been filed in local and federal courts since 2016. the parties are pursuing mediation to settle these cases. The next joint status conference is set for March 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Contact: heugenio@guampdn.com




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