HAWAII
The Worthy Adversary
Posted by Joelle Casteix on June 13, 2012
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy
New sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit is filed
This is the 2nd victim to name Ferrario as offender
Diocese knew and covered up allegations, lawsuit says
New state law lets victims expose abusers & protect kids
In a new civil lawsuit using an unusual new state law, a former Hawaii bishop and one of his priests are accused of molesting a boy and Catholic officials are accused of ignoring or concealing their crimes.
A California man says he was sexually violated as a ten-year-old in 1973, first by Fr. Joseph Henry and then by former Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario. At the time, the boy attended mass at St. Anthony’s parish in Kailua. Both alleged wrongdoers are now deceased.
The lawsuit is one of the first filed under a new Hawaii law that lets child sex abuse victims use the courts to expose predators, protect kids and seek justice, even decades after they were assaulted.
The victim, who grew up in Hawaii and now lives in California, is suing the Honolulu Diocese, which employed both clerics.
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