WISCONSIN
SNAP Wisconsin
Statement by John Pilmaier, SNAP Wisconsin Director
CONTACT: 414.336.8575
Judge Nancy Krueger approved a motion today granting the Diocese of Green Bay a new trial after a jury found the diocese guilty of fraud for transferring known child sex predator Fr. John Patrick Feeney into an unsuspecting parish where he went on to sexually assault additional children. The diocese argued that a member of the jury was biased and therefore they should be granted a new trial.
Todd and Troy Merryfield filed the historic lawsuit after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that such cases could go forward if church officials committed fraud by placing known sex offending clerics into parishes, schools, or other institutions where they had continued access to children. The Merryfield brothers were sexually assaulted by Feeney after the diocese placed the cleric into their parish knowing he was a danger to children.
The Merryfield brothers are to be commended for their bravery and courage in coming forward, holding diocesan officials accountable for their dangerous and reckless behavior, and working to keep our children safe. Their courage stands in stark contrast to the behavior of Green Bay diocesan officials who continue to deny responsibility for the sex offending clerics they protected and enabled.
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